IB 82 
A193 
'opy 1 






DEFENCE OF DR. GOULD 



SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL 



DUDLEY OBSERVATORY. 



303876 



THIRD EDITION. 



ALBANY: 

PRINTED FOR THE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL. 
18 5 8. 



DEFENCE OF DR. GOULD 



SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL 



DUDLEY OBSERVATORY. 



THIRD EDITION 



ALBANY: 

PRINTED FOR THE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL. 

18 5 8. 



A 



DEFENCE OF DR. GOULD, 
BY THE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL 



TO THE DONORS AND FRIENDS OF THE DUDLEY OBSERVATORY. 

Fellow Citizens : 

The undersigned who address you were named as the 
Scientific Council of the Dudley Observatory, at a meeting 
of the friends of the Observatory, in which certain mem- 
bers of the Trustees took part in September, 1855. By the 
use of our names, and under the pledge of our management of 
the scientific concerns of the Observatory, the large donation 
of Mrs. Dudley, as well as many smaller ones, was procured. 
This position gives us a right, therefore, to address you, and 
we now wish a hearing in regard to the charges preferred by 
the President of the Trustees of the Observatory, Mr. Olcott, 
against the Director, Dr. B. A. Gould, Jr. 

1. Ostensible Reasons. — The ostensible reasons assigned 
by Mr. Olcott and the Trustees voting with him, for their 
late astonishing course of procedure in regard to the affairs 
of the Observatory, are the alleged incompetency, dishon- 
esty, peculiarity of temper, and the unfitness in other respects 
of Dr. Gould for the position in which he was placed. Being 
informed by the Trustees that difficulties existed between 
them and Dr. Gould, we hastened to this city, in accordance 
with a previous arrangement, although at a time when it was 
exceedingly inconvenient for us to leave home, and pressing 
duties relative to our respective offices demanded our atten- 



tion. We came with the determination rigorously to examine 
into the state of affairs, to ascertain how much of error might 
be due to each party, and to suggest rules for the govern- 
ment of both in their subsequent intercourse. We came not as 
partisans to uphold Dr. Gould in what we might consider the 
wrong, but as men having a solemn duty to discharge towards 
the community, anxious to prevent the dissipation of a noble 
bequest, anxious to avert the disgrace to the city of Albany, 
to ourselves, to our friends in the Board, which would result 
from an open and uncompromising rupture between our asso- 
ciate and the Board of Trustees. We therefore respectfully 
requested of the Board a statement of the difficulties of 
which they complained. We also made a similar request of 
Dr. Gould. 

By the Trustees, however, we were accused of an unwar- 
rantable assumption of power. They refused to furnish us 
with any facts or to hold any intercourse with us unless we 
would sanction the immediate removal of Dr. Gould. They 
gave him no opportunity to defend himself. They refused to 
allow the case to be investigated, and their President prema- 
turely published charges against Dr. Gould, so vitally affect- 
ing his character that, unless substantiated by the clearest 
evidence, they must be considered as the result of a malicious 
determination to destroy, if possible, his reputation as a man 
of science and a man of honor, and to do him a wilful and 
egregious wrong. 

After the publication of this astonishing document we 
again requested the President of the Trustees to furnish us 
the evidence on which these assertions were founded. This 
he refused to do, and, in answer to our respectful and repeat- 
ed solicitations, they consummated their acts of arbitrary 
power by assuming to dismiss us as the Scientific Council of 
the Dudley Observatory. After this last act we can exert no 
influence on the Trustees, but we now feel that we owe it as 
a duty to Dr. Gould and to ourselves, his associates, to 
defend him against the unjust charges which have been 



made against him. "We have made the examination necessary 
to this, and have come deliberately to the conclusion — that 
the Trustees, instead of being actuated by a desire to advance 
astronomical science, have sought merely the advancement of 
their own interests and the gratification of personal feeling. 
They have no idea of an Observatory such as their high- 
sounding words to us and to the public would imply, and they 
have sought by constant and harassing interference to im- 
pede the results of the generous devotion of Dr. Gould, and, 
though they have made no provision for his support, they 
now accuse him of tardiness for not having done more than 
almost any individual in a similar position has ever done 
under the most favorable circumstances. We shall discuss 
the several charges made against Dr. Gould, and leave the 
inferences to the judgement of candid men, who will decide 
whether the Trustees or the Director are most worthy of 
their office. 

Our examination has so convinced us of the grievous injus- 
tice done to our colleague, that we have entitled our state- 
ment a " defence." The great difficulty of the case is that 
the charges are so boldly made that the world can only be 
convinced by the most searching discussion that there is 
no foundation whatever for them, and that this discussion 
must occupy considerable space. On the other hand we 
have the encouragement that, with all the labor and pains 
taken by the President of the Board, he has not succeeded in 
making a single point of consequence, against Dr. Gould. It 
is, indeed, unusual for a man to come out of such an ordeal 
unscathed, as Dr. Gould has, from the examination which we 
have instituted upon the studied and elaborate paper of Mr. 
Olcott. 

It is not necessary to follow Mr. Olcott through his history 
of the Observatory, as it consists of statements which, though 
combined to suit his particular views, and therefore not 
strictly accurate, contain no charges against Dr. Gould. 

Still it may be well to follow his extraordinary communi- 



cation,* adopted by the Board, in the order of his charges, 
sneers and innuendoes, and to consider these one by one, — 
with the exception of sundry loose statements and inaccu- 
rate assertions, of which we will speak in their aggregate. 

And we will begin with these. 

2. Loose Statements. — It seems hardly worth while to notice 
the numerous small inaccuracies of Mr. Olcott's statement, 
except as tending to show the looseness and disregard of 
precision with which it has been made up. 

For example — the prompt guaranty of Hon. J. Y. L. 
Pruyn, which induced the Superintendent of the Coast Survey 
to make his offer in 1855, is omitted. Dr. Gould was urged 
by the Trustees to go to Europe, instead of offering, as Mr. 
Olcott states. Dr. Gould was not authorized to purchase 
barometers and thermometers, and the mention of such trivial 
instruments in connection with the great meridian-circle, 
shows a lamentable want of the discrimination which candor 
and knowledge give. Dr. Gould's expenses in Europe were only 
in part borne by the Observatory ; they amounted to over 
$1500, of which he generously declined the reimbursement of 
more than half. Dr. Gould stated at the meeting at Mrs. 
Dudley's, (the donors and other " friends of the enterprise " 
met in those days at Mrs. Dudley's to hear of progress and 
to give advice,) that he had concluded to award the construc- 
tion of the heliometer to Mr. Spencer, and the final arrange- 
ments with Mr. Spencer were made by Mr. Olcott himself, 
after consulting Mrs. Dudley, and presenting for her selection 
estimates of instruments of several different sizes and prices. 
With much liberality and good judgement she selected the 
largest. 

Dr. Gould not only purchased no barometers or thermome- 
ters abroad, but he placed none in charge of Mr. Gavit. Mr. 
Gavit, who subsequently made these small purchases, having 
found it impracticable to obtain authority to carry the instru- 
ments in the original packages, unopened, across England, was 
obliged to intrust them to the express, and some of them 

* See Appendix A. 



were broken. We cannot hold Dr. Gould responsible for 
any part of this, nor for the non-recovery of the. insurance, 
which business clearly belongs to the financial agent of the 
Trustees, to whom Dr. Gould more than once addressed a 
reminder on this very subject. We must exonerate Mr. Gavit 
from blame in the matter of transportation ; and the whole 
set of instruments having, as we are informed, cost but $150, 
and only a part of them having been injured, the matter is 
not probably one of much consequence. Of whatever conse- 
quence, Dr. Goiild had no part in it. 

After speaking of Dr. Gould's removal to Albany, Mr. 
Olcott refers to an application from him " in February last, 
for a new dome." The letters of Dr. Gould (which were in 
January, not February) show that no such application was 
made — Dr. Gould merely inclosing a report of the architect, 
with his own remarks, submitting the question for decision 
" whether another dome ought to be provided at the present 
time," and showing how the existing structure can be ren- 
dered safe for present use. It will be recollected that this 
dome was constructed long before Dr. Gould had any con- 
nection whatever with the Dudley Observatory. A new dome, 
instead of costing " several thousand dollars," as asserted 
by Mr. Olcott, was estimated by the architect at the price of 
$1800. 

Neither the estimates of Dr. Gould for mounting the 
instruments, nor his demands upon the Trustees, exceeded 
$3800, as alleged by Mr. Olcott. The estimates subsequent 
to January 21, were requested by the Trustees, and, as will 
be subsequently shown, did not reach an amount in any way 
comparable with this sum. The details of them we give in 
the proper place. 

There are other small matters which, in passing, it may be 
well to notice, such as these : — 

That the pledge of Prof. Bache, to provide a transit for 
time from the Coast Survey instruments, is one which has long 
been redeemed ; that the instrument was -mounted in April, 



8 



and has been in use on every clear night since that time; 
that no observer for the heliometer is yet needed, inasmuch 
as the instrument has not been finished, and, of course, has 
furnished no observations to " belong jointly to the Observa- 
tory and Coast Survey, and to be published by either." 

There are many allegations "which, as intended to show 
that Dr. Gould's recommendations were -wanting in good 
judgement, may deserve a passing notice : — 

That Mr. Spencer's voyage to Europe resulted in no great 
addition to the stock of his previous information — or, in 
other words, that his careful study of the great heliometer 
at Oxford, and of the instrumental workshops and optical 
institutions of France and Germany added nothing to his 
previous information — is a proposition which only needs to 
be clearly stated, to show its necessary fallaciousness. That 
the rejected stone from Lockport was one which might 
properly have been accepted, is a statement simply untrue, 
and one which will be refuted by every astronomer who will 
examine the block. That the chronographs and clocks were 
ordered before they were wanted, and cost too much, is an 
assertion which contrasts curiously with Mr. Olcott's insinua- 
tion of blame to Dr. Gould, because one of them " by some 
unaccountable delay has not yet arrived." The prices paid 
we consider extremely low for the apparatus received. If it 
be true, as it would be natural to anticipate, that considera- 
ble sums have been lost in experiment, the generous zeal of 
Mr. Farmer, the gifted mechanician, has certainly prevented 
such loss from falling upon the Observatory. 

There are numerous other similar allegations which will be 
considered in their regular order. 

3. Precision and Exactness. — In the midst of the praise 
awarded to Dr. Gould for his promptness and energy, and the 
rejoicing over the ceremonies of the inauguration in August, 
1856, is the unmerited fling at his "precision and transcen- 
dental exactness." Separated from their rhetorical show, the 
two paragraphs which we are now noticing prove that Mr. 



Olcott did not at all understand what was meant by the 
terms " original" and " in advance of other institutions," as 
applied to an astronomical observatory, or he would hardly 
venture to blame any amount of precision or exactness, — 
the only qualities which distinguish the great practical as- 
tronomer from an ordinary observer. The Scientific Council 
certainly shared in the delusions of these times, if delusions 
they were. The representations of Mr. Olcott and Dr. Arms- 
by, and of other co-trustees, so often expressed, had induced 
them to believe that the Trustees desired to have an Observa- 
tory deserving to be considered a national institution, and 
that funds would not be wanting for such a purpose. They 
were called upon to take part in no ordinary or local insti- 
tution, but in a Great National Observatory, and it was to 
such an establishment that they promised to devote their time 
and labors as a Directing Council. It was to such an ob- 
servatory that Mrs. Dudley, on the pledge of their names, and 
the assurance that they would undertake its scientific direc- 
tion, made her great donation. If the contributions have 
fallen short of the expectations of the Trustees, or by "waste- 
ful expenditure" have been diminished below the point where 
the expectations then entertained can be realized, we submit 
that neither Dr. Gould's "precision" nor "transcendental 
exactness" is responsible. For ourselves, we declare that 
we never would have taken the post of Councillors of an 
observatory, of which we had not supposed the Trustees im- 
bued in the fullest and most complete sense with the idea that 
originality, precision and progress were to be the watchwords. 
That the quarries of Lockport could not furnish the requi- 
site supply of stone for the piers of the meridian-circle is a 
gratuitous assertion of Mr. Olcott j but that the stone, sent 
from thence by the person with whom the Executive Com- 
mittee made the contract, was unfit for its purpose, is a fact 
which we have verified by a close inspection. To mount this 
splendid meridian-circle upon a stone having any defect what- 
ever, would be to expose the results to error and to the 



10 



suspicion of error, — to place a costly structure upon an inade^ 
quate foundation. Better not mount the instrument at all. 
It was merely squandering funds to purchase it at all, if it 
•was to be mounted thus. Its precision and exactness would 
be thrown away, if a defective stone supported it. 

The question of the payment for this condemned stone is 
again one of those belonging not to Dr. Gould, but to the 
Trustees, and especially to the Executive Committee. Dr. 
Gould's expressions of regret (which we have seen in his 
correspondence) at the cost, are adopted by the Council. 

It will hardly be considered as just, in relating the history 
of the Observatory, to adopt the rhetorical nourish of Mr. 
Olcott, in regard to giving " a place on the earth to our [the 
Trustees'] castle in the air." General Van Rensselaer had 
given the ground for an observatory; Mrs. Dudley had con- 
tributed some $28,000 to the institution; and by various 
contributions a building had been erected, although without 
instruments or the necessary equipments of an astronomical 
observatory. It was in this condition of things, and when 
hopes of success in organizing the institution had almost been 
abandoned, that the arrangement in regard to the Scientific 
Council was entered upon. On the faith of this arrangement 
with us, by which we became the Directing Council of the 
Observatory, Mrs. Dudley made her great donation of $50,000, 
and a new era was inaugurated with the imposing ceremonies 
of August, 1856. This, with the frequent assurances of 
the Trustees, left no doubt in our minds that the scientific 
concerns of the Observatory were under our control and 
direction. We looked to a permanent connection, based upon 
it, with the rising institution. 

4. Injudicious Recommendations. 

(a.) The Ingenious Crane. — The apparatus for placing the 
great piers by which the meridian-circle is supported, we con- 
sider as being at once ingenious, economical and well con- 
trived. The success with which it has accomplished its work 
is the best demonstration of its excellence. Stones weighing 



11 



over seven tons each were to be brought into place with a 
degree of accuracy with which an ordinary mason could not 
lay even a brick or corner stone. To .talk of placing them 
properly without some such apparatus, is to utter ridiculous 
absurdity; and this case well illustrates the many practical 
difficulties with which Dr. Gould has had to contend, in his 
successful efforts to grapple with the difficult problem of 
mounting an instrument of such unexampled magnitude and 
delicacy. The only comparable operation is the well-known 
one of the great Transit-circle of the Greenwich Observatory. 
It may be that masons offered to place the stones in position 
for one-quarter the cost of the machine. In so doing, they 
showed an ignorance of the difficulty of the problem; an 
ignorance perfectly excusable in them, although its adoption 
is not excusable in Mr. Olcott. 

(b.) The Dome. — The dome of the Observatory was built 
by direction of the Trustees in 1852, long before Dr. Gould 
or any of the Council had any connection with the Dudley 
Observatory. Not only is Dr. Gould not responsible for its 
inadequacies and imperfections, but his efforts to remedy 
them have been unremitting. It unfortunately resembles that 
of " the great Imperial Observatory of Russia " only in some 
characteristics of external form. The suggestion that Mr. 
Hodgins — the skilful architect to whose ingenuity the happy 
idea of using flexible iron shutters is due — would make designs 
irrespective of what an architect was entitled to assume as 
the strength of such a structure, carries its own refutation with 
it. The dome proved incapable not only of supporting the 
shutters, but even of properly supporting its own weight, so 
soon as the tinning which covered the meridian-aperture was 
removed. 

(c.) The Wings of the Building. — The machinery for open- 
in and closing the shutters of the wings is, in our judgement, 
an elegant and important contribution to observatory-archi- 
tecture. It is highly successful, and the admiration of all 
who examine it. If Dr. Gould aimed, as Mr. Olcott sneer- 



12 



ingly taunts him with doing, " at something beyond the 
magnificence of the royal institutions of Europe," he would 
only have followed the directions uniformly given and the 
requests continually urged. But the taunt is undeserved and 
harmless. What the price of the machinery may have been 
we do not know, nor does he. "We only know that the con- 
tracts were made by Mr. Olcott or Dr. Armsby on the one 
hand, and fulfilled by a Trustee of the Observatory on the 
other ; that the plans were judicious, elegant, ingenious and 
highly commendable. The closing remark, in which reference 
is again made to the dome, is not only ungenerous, but highly 
improper; for Mr. Olcott must well remember the encourage- 
ments which were held out to the Scientific Council, that the 
new equatorial, nearly completed for Hamilton College, would 
in all probability be used at the. Dudley Observatory until its 
hire should supply the means for the purchase of a transit- 
instrument to use with it at the institution for which it was 
constructed. There are certain points in this connection 
which may, we trust, be fully made public on some future 
occasion. 

(d.) Chronographs and Clocks. — To this topic we have 
already alluded under the head of "Loose Statements," and 
we shall consider it again in detail. 

(e.) The Dwelling -House. — At the instance of Messrs. 
Armsby and Olcott, Dr. Gould undertook to have the plans 
for a dwelling drawn under his supervision at Boston. These 
plans contemplated an unpretending wooden building, in a 
less prominent and more appropriate position than the present 
one. Most of the essential characteristics were modified by 
Messrs. Olcott and Armsby, who also selected a new site, 
occupying a position which neither Dr. Gould nor ourselves 
would have advised. Dr. Gould informs us that the new plan 
was not " submitted to him, and discussed room by room," as 
Mr. Olcott asserts. Had Dr. Gould, under the circumstances, 
complained of these changes, it would not have been unnatural ; 
but we find no evidence that he has done so. On the other 



13 



hand — though the present dwelling does not possess the 
advantages of his plan, has probably cost at least twice what 
it should have done, and is by no means a specimen of thorough 
workmanship — he has not busied himself with any considera- 
tions of personal comfort, but has struggled to maintain and 
promote the welfare of the Observatory through difficulties 
and obstacles almost appalling, concentrating his attention 
upon this one great object alone. 

(f. ) The ready Concurrence in all his Schemes. — The earn- 
estness which Mr. Olcott manifests, in his statement, to exon- 
erate everybody excepting Dr. Gould, is almost amusing. In 
this connection we beg to quote from Dr. Gould's report to 
us of December, 1857, previous to his removal to Albany. 

From Dr. Gould's Keport to the Scientific Council, 1857, Dec. 21. 

" In alluding to these difficulties, I desire only to cite them as illus- 
trative of the state of affairs and constant emharrassment since my first 
connection with the Observatory. With every expression of confidence 
and regard on the part of the Executive Committee, and a full reliance 
on my own part in the excellence of their intentions, I have found it 
throughout impossible to prevent continual interference, leading alike to 
very large and entirely unnecessary outlay, and to results at variance with 
my taste and judgement. My complaints have always been met in one and 
the same way, viz.: with assurances of rectitude of motive, promises of 
future non-interference, and appeals to my forbearance, as requisite alike 
for the protection of the innocent colleague [Mr. Olcott], and for the wel- 
fare of the institution. From you and my most intimate friends I have 
not for the past year concealed this state of affairs ; from the world I have 
done so, preferring to endure personal annoyance and incur danger of 
undeserved censure, rather than to take the only step which could protect 
myself, since this would endanger the interests of the Observatory. 

" It could not be anticipated that a great work like the organization of 
such an institution as we had in view, could be carried to its consumma- 
tion without embarrassments and personal annoyances. All concerned 
must naturally expect to bear some portion of the burden, looking for 
their reward to the brilliant success which should crown their united and 
harmonious action. 

# # # * # 



14 



" Of the donations during the year subsequent to the inauguration of 
the Observatory, I need not speak. All of the Scientific Council aided 
■with their best exertions, and had united in pledging their reputations 
that, in case the desired endowment could be secured, the success of the 
Dudley Observatory should equal the hopes and anticipations of its most 
sanguine friends. All, excepting myself, had joined with the Executive 
Committee in soliciting and advocating the aid of wealthy citizens in 
various parts of the country, and the appeals met with a liberal and gen- 
erous response. 

" What sum had been received previous to the commencement of the 
present financial troubles, I do not know ; but from the intimations of 
the Executive Committee, I apprehend not only that all has been 
expended as fast as received, but that the donation of Mrs. Dudley 
towards the endowment has been encroached upon to some considerable 
extent, and it is very evident that but small hopes can reasonably be 
entertained of any new donations, in the present state of financial affairs 
throughout the land. 

' ' The apprehension of some cessation of the gifts -which have flowed 
into the treasury of the Observatory with such liberality during the last 
year, has continually distressed me ; but under the peculiar relations I 
have occupied towards Messrs. Olcott and Armsby, I have been fettered 
by a sense of delicacy, and have not felt warranted in remonstrating with 
gentlemen to whose energy the inception of the undertaking has been 
due, and whose exertions to obtain the funds have been so unremitting. 
There is, however, an evident tendency to devote more attention to 
appearances than to realities, and I do not think that the importance of 
obtaining a proper endowment, before attempting to commence active 
operations, has been sufficiently felt. At present the Executive Com- 
mittee seem extremely desirous to commence as soon as the dwelling- 
house is completed, — a plan which seems to me ill-adapted to promote 
the true dignity of the Observatory, to whose establishment we looked 
forward with so much pride and confidence. They take the ground that 
until " results " shall have been obtained, no farther contributions can 
be expected. Under these circumstances, it is my desire to be guided 
by your advice. 

" One point seems to deserve allusion before passing from this subject^ 
Being not only influenced by considerations of taste and of economy, 
but impelled also by apprehensions as to points essential to the proper 
peyformance of the work going on, as regards its adaptation for astrono- 
mical use, I urged upon the Executive Committee the importance of per- 



15 



mitting the work to be guided by one mind alone. They readily acceded 
to my views ; and so strongly was I impressed with the importance of 
preventing the recklessly lavish and injudicious expenditures of Dr. 
Armsby, that, although oppressed as you are aware with overwhelming 
labors, I undertook the responsibility and care incident to the entire 
charge of the work, and was formally installed by the Executive Com- 
mittee as Director and clothed with full executive powers. I was assured 
that no outlay should be made or expense incurred without my approval ; 
that no more money should be expended upon external decorations 
until essentials should have been provided for ; and that all persons 
employed upon the building should be instructed to receive orders from 
me alone. 

" At the same time a liberal offer of salary was made me, which I 
declined, preferring to render whatever services might be in my power as 
a contribution towards the great end in view, — but stipulating as before 
that no labors or exertions of mine towards the completion and equip- 
ment of the institution should be considered in the light of an indirect 
promise to take charge of the Observatory when completed. Of course 
I did not assume the charge of any matters of finance, but undertook the 
directorship of all matters of construction, execution and administration, 
endeavoring to inform myself as well as possible of the state of the 
finances ; and on two occasions the Treasurer politely furnished me, at my 
request, with such information. I visited Albany even more frequently 
than before, and gave attention to all matters of detail. But, to my pain 
and sorrow I found all in vain. My orders were constantly and persist- 
ently disregarded, and at each successive visit I found more numerous 
demonstrations that my directorship was but nominal. Written direc- 
tions were set at naught, and the same tendencies as before were mani- 
fested, to an extent which left me no other alternative than to surrender 
the responsibility which I had assumed. Self-respect, and unwillingness 
to be even the apparent originator of many changes repugnant to my 
taste, required this. And as fortunately the directions for all the remain- 
ing steps of scientific importance had been already given by me, my with- 
drawal involved no dereliction of duty. I therefore soon ceased to 
attempt the exercise of any functions of directorship, apart from the pros- 
ecution of the purely scientific operations already in progress. 

" Since this period the expenditures appear to have been going on as 
before, at a rate which may almost be characterized as inordinate, although 
the work appears to be performed, as a general thing, in a very inferior 



16 



style. With the circumstances attending the erection of the dwelling- 
house, gas-house, &c. , you are already familiar and I need not recapitu- 
late them. They will serve as illustrations." 

5. Dr. Gould's delay in coming to Albany. — In the original 
letters of the Scientific Council, August 8 and August 11, 
1856, it was distinctly and unequivocally stated that "the 
Observatory cannot be creditably conducted for less than 
$10,000 of annual outlay." All the pledges of the Scientific 
Council and the Director were based upon the condition of 
obtaining this amount of income ; and never did they swerve 
from this condition until the financial crisis of last winter. 
In all this interval of time, therefore, from August, 1856, till 
the winter of 1858, Dr. Could was under no form of obliga- 
tion to the' Observatory,* and all that he did for it during 
this period was a voluntary as well as a gratuitous contribu- 
tion to its success. To turn round upon him now, after this 
long-continued and self-sacrificing devotion to their cause ; to 
make this the basis of charges in order to screen themselves 
from the consequences of their own wasteful expenditures of 
money, — expenditures against which Dr. Gould had constantly 
protested; and to found upon it an additional accusation 
because, in perfect and entire conformity with their contract, 
he waited till the obligation of action was imposed upon him 
by the non-accomplishment of the promised subscription 
for the endowment, are acts of ingratitude which require 
no epithet. 

There was abundant reason for Dr. Gould's delay in com- 
ing to Albany. He was overwhelmed with business which 
had accumulated in his regular Coast Survey duties, in conse- 
quence of the time which he had gratuitously devoted to the 
Observatory, and investigations relative to the Chilean expe. 
dition which he had previously undertaken. The endowment 
had not been completed and there was no provision made for 
the support of the Observatory. Under these conditions the 
Scientific Council did not think it proper to urge him imme- 



17 



diately to come to Albany, and indeed he had given no pledge 
that he would permanently accept the office of Director pre- 
vious to the completion of the endowment; the only presump- 
tion that he would accept it after that condition had been 
fulfilled, arose from the zeal he had manifested in the cause, 
and the time and labor he had devoted to devising and pro- 
curing the instruments. It was not until the financial condi- 
tion of the country rendered it improbable that any more 
funds could be raised at that time, and until after the difficul- 
ties relative to Dr. Peters had occurred, that it was evidently 
necessary that the establishment should be under the imme- 
diate charge of a resident Director. The Scientific Council, 
however, did not think it proper to make a farther draft upon 
the generosity of Dr. Gould, by requesting him to assume the 
responsibilities and difficulties of the position, and to make 
farther sacrifices in regard to it, while the prospect of com- 
pleting the endowment was so uncertain. He generously, 
however, relieved them from this embarrassment by offering 
to remove to Albany and take charge of the whole without 
the prospect of any remuneration. Dr. Gould is, after Mrs. 
Dudley, the principal contributor, by the devotion of his time, 
his talents, his thoughts and his labor; and to make it a 
ground of complaint against him that he did not sooner 
come to Albany, is not only unreasonable, but most ungener- 
ous and unjust. 

6. Application for another and a rival position. — This iden- 
tical charge was urged in the presence of Mr. Olcott, at his 
office, in December last, and Professor Peirce then and there 
made a distinct statement of the facts of the case, which 
were understood at the time to receive the unqualified appro- 
bation of Mr. Olcott. 

This was the statement : 

Some time in the course of the previous year an informal 

and unofficial letter had been written to each one of ourselves 

individually, in which we were given to understand that a 

professorship of Astronomy was likely to be established in 

2 



18 



Columbia College, New York, and inquiry was made as to 
whom we could recommend for this chair. "We named various 
gentlemen, and, without any mutual communication or knowl- 
edge on the part of any one of us that the others had been 
consulted, each stated that he regarded Dr. Gould as the 
gentleman best qualified to fill the professorship. Professor 
Peirce went a step farther, and recommended that arrange- 
ments should be made by which the professorship should be 
combined with the office of Director of the Dudley Observa- 
tory ; and argued that this combination of offices, which was 
common in European institutions, would unite the two 
interests. When subsequently the office was actually estab- 
lished, there was no candidate recommended by these gentle- 
men either for the astronomical or for the mathematical 
chair, and their intentions were pointing in a totally different 
direction. 

In these steps Dr. Gould had neither part nor knowledge ; 
he was in no way implicated; and no measures were taken to 
ascertain whether he would have accepted the professorship, 
had he been invited to assume it. 

A "rival institution" is here alluded to as if it were a 
rival manufactory or commercial firm, whereas it is simply 
another institution for the promotion of astronomical science, 
which should compete generously with the Dudley Observatory, 
not rival it, as in the commercial sense of the President. 

7. The sacrifice of Dr. Peters. — This is a delicate point, 
and one which we should ourselves have hesitated to bring 
before the public. If in our exposition of the case we are 
obliged to present facts which will not place Dr. Peters in a 
very enviable position, and circumstances which may not be 
agreeable to the President of the Board, the result must be 
attributed to Mr. Olcott alone. 

According to Mr. Olcott, Dr. Peters "is not a specious, 
entertaining, pedantic theorist, abounding in contrivances of 
a useless and visionary character," but " a ripe scholar, an 
accomplished astronomer," who " can fathom with profound 



19 



mind the profounder depths of science." "A foreigner, a com- 
parative stranger in our midst, with but few friends," " gifted 
but unpretending," he " was driven from our city " by the 
" decree " of the Scientific Council because he ventured to 
" presume on the liberties of manhood in this the land of his 
adoption." 

The view given by Mr. Olcott of the case of Dr. Peters is 
such as actually to condemn the Board of Trustees, by whom 
what Mr. Olcott terms " the sacrifice " was made. If Dr. 
Peters is such a man as Mr. Olcott represents him, or if the 
Trustees believed him to be such, it was a grievous wrong 
and a high outrage thus to " sacrifice " him and drive him 
from the city. No motives of "Harmony" could have justi- 
fied the sacrifice of such a man. We prefer, however, to 
believe that they adopted our valuation of the services of Dr. 
Peters, and that in procuring a place for him at Hamilton 
College they considered that all obligation implied in the 
support which they had extended to him, had been discharged. 

Dr. Peters is a Dane, of considerable acquirements and 
practical knowledge, who, after unsuccessful attempts in Ger- 
many, Italy and Turkey to find permanent employment, decided 
to seek his fortune in America, and for this purpose wrote to 
Dr. Gould, with whom he had become acquainted in Europe 
ten years ago, asking his aid and influence in obtaining 
employment here. Dr. Gould advised him not to come, but 
promised his best efforts to help him should he determine to 
do so. He came ; was received by Dr. Gould into his house- 
hold as a guest; through Dr. Gould's exertions he was 
appointed to a subordinate position as a computer in the U. 
S. Coast Survey ; and he was intrusted by Dr. Gould with 
numerous computations relative to his own private work, for 
which he was more than liberally compensated. Impelled 
still farther by sympathy, and reliance upon his supposed 
friendship and honor, Prof. Bache and Dr. Gould yielded to 
the wishes of this person that he might perform his labors in 
Albany, and represent Dr. Gould at the Observatory where 



20 



the work of construction was going on. As part of his duties 
under the Coast Survey, he was directed to determine the 
latitude and approximate longitude of the Observatory, as a 
point in the Hudson river triangulation, and at Dr. Gould's 
instance an increase of pay was allowed him, on this account, 
by the Superintendent of the Survey. The necessary instru- 
ments were forwarded from Washington, and the necessary 
directions and explanations given by Dr. Gould. We are 
informed that these observations for latitude and longitude 
have never yet been reported by Dr. Peters. 

n the summer of 1857 the irregularities and delays in 
computing the predictions of occultations, which Dr. Peters 
was executing under Professor Peirce, had become so serious, 
that the Superintendent of the Coast Survey determined that 
Dr. Peters must confine himself to these computations, return- 
ing to Cambridge so as to work effectively with Professor 
Peirce, who had the charge of them. No diminution of pay 
was proposed by Professor Bache, who actually departed from 
official usage by informing him of the reasons for the instruc- 
tions given, viz : that the progress of the computations 
required, not only Dr. Peters's whole time, but his constant 
intercourse with Professor Peirce. Dr. Peters objected to 
the removal, although but a short time before he had been 
eager and thankful to accept any position, however humble, 
which might be assigned him, and declined to give any reason 
to Professor Bache for his avowed unwillingness to return to 
Cambridge. A week was allowed him to consider the matter ; 
and at the expiration of this period an official order was sent, 
transferring him from Dr. Gould's corps and directing him to 
report to Professor Peirce, at Cambridge. Without explana- 
tion Dr. Peters replied by resigning the place upon the Coast 
Survey. His separation from the Survey was his own act. 
The order given by Professor Bache was not prompted by 
suggestions from Dr. Gould, who was at the time, as we learn, 
quite ignorant of the state of feeling towards him subsequently 
fully manifested by Dr. Peters ; but was occasioned by a pru- 
dent regard for the interests committed to his charge. 



21 



Although at first Dr. Armsby made many complaints of Dr. 
Peters, and applied for his removal, the latter succeeded sub- 
sequently in ingratiating himself with him and in commending 
himself also to Mr. Olcott. A state of feeling was manifested 
in Albany relative to Dr. Peters's resignation, which appeared 
at the time unaccountable ; and in opposition to the advice of 
the Scientific Council, and after Dr. Gould had declined to 
appoint him Assistant in the Observatory, we received notifi- 
cations from the Secretary of the Trustees that he had been 
elected " Observer." We received, however, subsequent 
information from the President, General Yan Rensselaer, and 
from more than one other Trustee, that no such election had 
been made; a statement which seems to be confirmed by the 
subsequent action of the Board. 

On this occasion the Scientific Council assembled in Albany, 
and upon their application to General Van Rensselaer, a 
meeting of the Trustees was held, at which the Council were 
allowed to be present. They severally addressed the Board, 
urged the importance of harmony, the necessity of subordina- 
tion, and the propriety of leaving the Director to nominate 
his own assistants. The majority of the Trustees concurred, 
and acknowledged by their acts the inconsiderateness of their 
previous step. 

Dr. Peters had placed himself in the very unenviable posi- 
tion of one who endeavored, not only to undermine the 
position of his official superior, but also to injure and traduce 
his benefactor. Through the influence of the Trustees he 
was at once provided with another position, to which Mr. 
Olcott is understood to have largely contributed, and har- 
mony was apparently restored. But the seeds of discord 
were too deeply sown, not to germinate and bear fruit. And 
as the probable explanation, we are compelled to record a 
circumstance, petty in itself, but of which the effect may 
perhaps be rightly appreciated by those acquainted with the- 
peculiarities of Mr. Olcott, now President of the Board, and 
for some time past the unrelenting opponent of Dr. Gould. 



22 



The first instrument completed for the Observatory was a 
small telescope of the kind known as "comet seekers," and 
Dr. Gould had directed Dr. Peters to institute a search for 
comets by carefully sweeping the most promising portions of 
the heavens, in order by some discoveries of this kind to 
obtain for the new Observatory a certain popular favor. 
Four comets appeared, and were detected elsewhere before 
his search proved successful ; but at last a telescopic comet 
(1857, IV.) was found by him, two days prior to its detection 
in Europe. This discovery, though not a very important 
addition to human knowledge, received the generous commen- 
dation of Dr. Gould, who considered that , it would be espe- 
cially gratifying to Messrs. Armsby and Olcott, and might 
stimulate some liberal citizen to farther donation. A different 
and adroit use of the circumstance, however, was made by Dr. 
Peters to advance his own interest, and he pretended to confer 
upon the celestial visitant the name of" Olcott-Comet." We 
say pretended, because he well knew the name could not be 
adopted. This ridiculous procedure was entirely unwarranted 
by astronomical usage, and the name has of course never been 
adopted by a single astronomer. Dr. Peters well knew that 
after the world had refused the honored names of Herschel 
and Le Verrier to the celestial bodies with which these names 
are indissolubly associated in history, it would hardly confer 
upon a telescopic comet the name of the then Vice-President 
of the Trustees. 

Dr. Gould is the editor of the Astronomical Journal, and 
in his official capacity, although of course desirous of gratify- 
ing the feelings of Mr. Olcott, he felt obliged to change the 
editorial heading of the article to the words " Fourth Comet 
of 1857," although he left the words " Olcott-comet " in the 
body of the communication, which he generously published in 
Dr. Peters's behalf alone, without any allusion to their official 
relations. We can understand that it may have grated upon 
Mr. Olcott's feelings to have his name thus stricken from the 
celestial catalogue by one over whom he had, in his connec- 



23 



tion with the Observatory, an official and legal control. We 
leave it to others to decide whether his lamentations, uttered 
over the " sacrifice " of " the gifted and unpretending Peters," 
might not have been due as much to the offended dignity of 
a Trustee as- to the sympathetic benevolence of an astronomi- 
cal arbiter ; whether there may not be plausibility in the 
suggestion that this occurrence has tended to shape his sub- 
sequent course, and whether the present crisis may not have 
been in some measure owing to the baleful influence of the 
Fourth Comet of 1857. 

In this connection, and in farther explanation of the unre- 
lenting course pursued by the majority of the Trustees, we 
feel bound to mention another fact. Great difficulties were 
encountered in boring or drilling the horizontal holes through 
the stone piers of the meridian-circle, a difficulty attributed 
by Dr. Gould in great measure to the inefficiency of the tools. 
He changed the whole character of the drills, using cast iron 
instead of steel ; and with much simpler appliances has accom- 
plished the work successfully. Meantime a bill for the drills 
had been presented, relative to which Dr. Gould applied to 
Mr. Olcott for instructions, declaring that he had no hesita- 
tion in saying that the bill for these tools would be enormous, 
even had the articles been good. He goes on to say : " In this 
contingency I see no course open but to apply to you for 
instructions in the premises. I cannot certify to the bill, and 
must enter my protest against it. Any responsibility in the 
premises which you think it right or proper for me to assume, 
I will take cheerfully." 

Dr. Gould never saw the inefficient tools for which this bill 
was rendered, until they were in use at the Observatory ; he 
gave no drawings or other instructions in regard to them, and 
in short had no responsibility concerning their manufacture. 

We think it will be considered evident that this course on 
the part of Dr. Gould indicates at least a fearless determina- 
tion to do right, when we add that the leading member of the 
firm who presented this bill was Mr. Robert Pruyn, one of 



24 



"the Executive Committee, and one, moreover, who has since 
that time been among the most active in his opposition to Dr. 
Gould, and in the attempts to annoy and persecute him. 

We admit that in these cases Dr. Gould might have adopt- 
ed a course more conducive to " Harmony," but what intelli- 
gent and high-minded man will presume to say that he has 
done wrong ? 

8. " Wasteful Expenditures. " — Dr. Gould not responsible. 
— The President of the Trustees asserts that wasteful ex- 
penditures have been made, and he should at least know the 
nature of the financial concerns of the Institution. It is for 
the donors, whose money has been thus wasted after being 
intrusted to the Board and its Executive Committee, to 
inquire into this. We were advised by counsel that it might 
be our duty, under the appeal of Mrs. Dudley, to take this 
disagreeable step, and that an application to the tribunals 
of the State for an investigation into this matter might be 
necessary. The legislature of the commonwealth should no 
doubt be called upon in the proper form to investigate this 
grave subject, in regard to which the statement of the Presi- 
dent covers such broad ground and is so boldly made. What 
guards were thrown around the treasury of this sacred trust ? 
What rules adopted for auditing and paying accounts ? The 
President of the Board, who is also the Chairman of the 
Executive Committee, and whose prominent and controlling 
part in all the money matters of the Institution is well under- 
stood, states, for the sake of impeaching the judgement and 
conduct of Dr. Gould, that expenditures made under his 
direction have been wasteful. And this, too, when he is 
aware that the contracts and bargains have, in nearly all of 
the cases of any consequence, been made under the authority 
of Dr. Armsby, his colleague of the former Executive Com- 
mittee, and that some of them were executed by his colleagues 
of the Board. That Dr. Gould's mild and temperate state- 
ment in regard to one of them (see his letter of May 31,) was 
the cause of part of his difficulties, cannot be doubted. If the 



25 



system of accounts has been loose, — in regard to which we 
have no evidence, nor feel it our present duty to make inves- 
tigations, but which is charged in the passionate statement of 
the President, — who is responsible for this, excepting the 
President himself, the Executive Committee, or the Board of 
Trustees ? 

It will be recollected that it was after the declaration 
which Mr. Olcott alleges to have been made to the Trustees 
by Dr. Gould, that " he was not responsible for anything 
which had been done at the Observatory," &c, and which 
Mr. Olcott now characterizes as "astounding," that the 
Board of Trustees sanctioned his appointment as Director, 
and Mr. Olcott said in his letter to Prof. Henry, (1858, Jan. 
23) : " We placed the Observatory, the day after you left, in 
the entire and exclusive charge of Dr. Gould, subject only to 
the Scientific Council." The time to deny Dr. Gould's alle- 
gations was at the meeting of the Board, and the mode was 
by rejecting him on account of them. If he was accepted, 
either his allegations were correct and the Trustees accepted 
them as such, or else they were inoffensive, or gave so little 
offence that it could be overlooked. To allow such things to 
rankle in the mind — to treasure them up in the store-house 
of the memory — is not to fulfil the great Christian law. We 
are of opinion that the Trustees well knew that Dr. Gould 
was not responsible for the outlays which had been made, and 
that, if "wasteful extravagance" had been committed, they 
and their agents were responsible for it. The great majority 
of the Board might even feel that they had no responsibili- 
ties ; for their meetings had been few and far between, and 
the attendance on them quite irregular. This attempt to fix 
the Observatory expenditures upon Dr. Gould is unsupported 
by the rules which govern any well regulated institution. If 
Dr. Gould, induced by the magnificent views and magnificent 
promises of Dr. Armsby and Mr. Olcott, had advised expen- 
sive changes, it was their duty to reject them if they would 
lead to " wasteful expenditure." The fact is, that all the 



26 



matters recommended seem to us desirable for an institution 
on the scale proposed by the Trustees, and most of them 
indispensable. The arguments tending to show that this or 
that thing might have been done cheaper or better, are all 
fallacious. It is easy to be a prophet after the event. We 
find in the correspondence of Dr. Gould with Dr. Armsby 
and Mr. Olcott. abundant evidence of his desire to economize 
in these expenditures, and numerous expressions, delicately, 
but clearly expressed, of regret and dissatisfaction at the 
cost of various matters for which Dr. Armsby had made the 
Observatory responsible. 

9. Avowed Hostility, Designed Affronts. — We have examined 
the allegation of avowed hostility of Dr. Gould to the Board 
of Trustees, and declare that it has no foundation in fact ; 
that he was neither hostile in action nor in communication. 
The temperate and conciliatory character of his. letters under 
affronts to him, and petty annoyances which might well have 
justified some irritation of tone, is upon the whole re- 
markable. 

The matter of the visits of the Trustees to the Observa- 
tory and of the difficulties with Dr. Gould's assistants, for 
none we believe are alleged with him, is touched upon lightly 
by Mr. Olcott. We have only ex parte testimony in regard to 
it, Mr. Olcott having declined to submit any testimony to us. 
The reports of the assistants place the Trustees more or less 
completely in the wrong, and the subsequent votes of the 
Executive Committee show a state of irritation which was 
highly unfavorable to cool and sound judgement of the relation 
of the parties, or to a correct recollection of the transactions 
themselves. 

No evidence has reached us of open and designed affronts 
to members of this Board, and we are convinced that, if Dr. 
Gould had been given a hearing, the Board must have been 
satisfied that no affronts were given or were intended. 

10. Meeting in January. — The transactions of January, 
1858, constituting as they do, in a moral, if not a legal point 



27 



of view, a contract between the Trustees of the Dudley Ob- 
servatory and the Scientific Council, deserve to be stated in 
some detail. Mr. Olcott had made, on behalf of the Board, 
to a member of the Scientific Council, Professor Bache, 
several propositions, the acceptance of any one of which by 
the Council would be satisfactory to him. 

The circumstances of our appointment should not here be 
lost sight of, nor the fact that friends and donors to the Obser- 
vatory took part in the meeting; nor that the Executive 
Committee, composed of Mr. Olcott and Dr Armsby, took 
part in the meeting — the former addressing it, and both of 
them calling upon Prof. Henry and Dr. Gould to do the same. 
These gentlemen always wrote and said to us that the scien- 
tific control of the Observatory was to be exclusively with 
us. We were the Scientific Council, to manage the scientific 
concerns of the Observatory, and not to suggest, to or advise 
with the Trustees ; — the Council, not the Counsel. 

The first of Mr. Olcott's propositions was to place the 
Observatory immediately and entirely in Dr. Gould's charge, 
subject only to the Scientific Council in scientific matters ; 
provided he would bring two assistants with him, and pro- 
vided all would labor without expense to the Observatory ; 
Mr. Olcott guaranteeing at the same time that the small 
amount necessary for mounting the instruments and the indis- 
pensable equipments should be furnished. 

When it is recollected that the Council had declared that 
with a less income than $10,000 the Observatory could not, 
even with the most rigid economy, be supported in the manner 
intended by the Trustees, it may be a matter of surprise that 
they concluded to take charge of it with an income of scarcely 
one-third of that amount, and this, too, actually mortgaged 
at the time for two years, thus rendering it certain that the 
Institution must be carried on mainly by private contributions, 
or that all labor must be voluntary. We regarded the con- 
tract of January as giving us the means of using Dr Gould's 
extraordinary talents and precision in such ways as by their 



28 



fruits to induce new donations to the Observatory. We 
knew that his generous and zealous character was appreciated 
by his assistants in the longitude party of the Coast Survey, 
and that they would join him as volunteers in the great cause 
of astronomical science. The arrangement was the best 
which, under the circumstances, could be made, and we were 
willing to abide by it. Before it could be consummated, we 
were somewhat surprised to find that the appointment of the 
Scientific Council by the donors and others, in 1855, had not 
been ratified by the Board. So loosely had the concerns of 
the Board up to this time been conducted, that we were 
actually acting as a Council, corresponding with and meeting 
the members of the Board and of the Executive Committee, 
brought prominently before the public at the inauguration 
festival as responsible for the scientific concerns of the 
Institution, allowing donations to be solicited and made by 
the use of our names as a Scientific Council, and yet we had 
never been elected " at a regular meeting of the Board." 
The public will thus have some insight into the mode of doing 
business by the Trustees, and will pardon us as scientific men 
if we have looked less closely to the form than to the sub- 
stance of our appointment, and had believed ourselves 
formally in charge of the scientific concerns of the Institu- 
tion. At the instance of Mr. Olcott, we had actually 
accompanied members of the Board in the city of New York 
to solicit contributions to the Observatory, and had appeared 
formally before the underwriters to invoke their aid. 

The resolutions of the Board at this time confirmed our 
appointment as a Scientific Council, and ratified the proposition 
of Mr. Olcott, to which we have just referred. 

The Scientific Council also ratified this compact, but in 
ratifying it felt bound to correct a supposed accidental error 
or want of precision in the statement of the Trustees' resolu- 
tion. At their meeting in Philadelphia on the 8th of 
February, 1858, they passed a resolution declaring that the 
acceptance by Dr. Bache of Mr. Olcott's proposition, was 



29 



made by him in behalf of the Scientific Council of the Dudley 
Observatory, and not in his capacity of Superintendent of the 
U. S. Coast Survey. 

The Council understood that this arrangement pledged the 
Trustees and Council mutually for at least two years, for 
which time the income of the Institution had already been 
anticipated, and we proceeded accordingly. That the moral 
obligation is with us Ave believe, and that this is a contract 
which morally, and, we think, legally binds the Board and 
Council. That the Trustees should take advantage of their 
own wrong, and in ratifying our appointment should seek by 
resolutions to abridge our powers, is clearly against the prin- 
ciples of law and morality. 

The alleged "alarming peculiarities of Dr. Gould" do not, 
in our view, justify the action of the Board in breaking this 
arrangement without our and his consent. 

Mrs. Dudley 's Gift. — In his letter to Professor Bache of 
December 19, 1857, Mr. Olcott says: 

"But the donation of Mrs. Dudley not to be encroached upon, 
beyond what has already been done, which may consume its next two 
years' income." 

In the second column of Mr. Olcott's recent manifesto, he 
says: 

" Excepting a few hundred dollars for mounting the instruments we 
should have no money to dishurse for two years to come, as we could 
not encroach upon our invested fund of $50,000 given by Mrs. Dudley." 

At the conclusion of the same document, Mr. Olcott says : 

" We have, unencroached upon, the endowment of Mrs. Dudley of 
$50,000." 

Has Mrs. Dudley's donation been encroached upon, or not? 
If yes, by what authority ? If no, where is the income ? 

11. Money Matters. — Application to Trustees. — Private 
Resources, &c. — After stating that Dr. Gould had applied for 



30 



a new dome, and had asked for more than $3800 for mounting 
instruments — an assertion which we have shown, under the 
head of "Loose Statements," to be entirely inaccurate — Mr. 
Olcott says that the Trustees have allowed of this sum 
" every dollar asked for scientific purposes," and u several 
hundred dollars for the personal comfort and convenience of 
Dr. Gould." 

Mr. Olcott continues : " And yet, in the face of these facts, 
he says, in a letter of May 31st, that he has been obliged to 
advance, from his own private resources, the necessary means 
for the operations of the Observatory, and without aid, thus 
far, from the Trustees." Now we ask, do the facts disprove 
Dr. Gould's allegations? or does not Mr. Olcott know the 
difference between the " operations of the Observatory " and 
the mounting of instruments ? Dr. Gould has, since his 
removal to Albany in February, actually advanced from his 
own resources, or become individually responsible for, the 
sum of more than $3000 for the operations of the Observatory ; 
and the only sums received thus far from the Trustees, are 
for mounting the instruments and for arranging the premises. 
Dr. Gould was actually obliged to devote to the end of carry- 
ing on the Observatory the receipts of his labor in the work 
of the Chile Astronomical expedition, in which he was called 
upon, in a manner so honorable to him and to the chief of 
the expedition, to take part. When the premises were first 
occupied by his assistants, they were obliged to perform 
all domestic offices of every kind for themselves. The bal- 
ance of the sum appropriated for determining longitude, 
estimated at $1400, was actually promised toward the support 
of the Observatory, but has not, up to this time, been devoted 
to that purpose. The promise was made by the President of 
the Board, in presence of one of the Council. Having been 
denied access to the minutes of the Board, we cannot say that 
no resolution has been passed, appropriating this money to 
observatory purposes; but we can say that none has been 
communicated to Dr. Gould. The statements are not falla- 



31 



cious, as alleged by Mr. Olcott. Dr. Gould is carrying on 
the operations of the Observatory, at a rate of not less than 
$150 a month from his own private means. It is ungenerous 
enough to permit this, but "worse than ungenerous to deny the 
fact. 

It -will be recollected that Dr. Gould's letter is to . the 
Trustees, and that he was addressing a reminder to that body, 
and not making a charge to the public, and this, too, after 
irritations had come thick and fast upon him. 

We have carefully examined the allegation of Mr. Olcott, 
that Dr. Gould had asked for more than $3800 since his 
removal to Albany in February, and that the Trustees had 
" allowed every dollar asked for in aid of scientific purposes, 
and several hundred dollars for the personal comfort and con- 
venience of Dr. Gould," and we find as follows : 

Dr. Gould has, in addition to recommending the mode of 
distribution of this promised balance of the longitude-appro- 
priation (earned for the Observatory chiefly by his own 
exertions and those of his assistants), and of which none of 
the items were allowed, excepting $500 for mounting and 
bringing into use the meridian-circle and calculating-engine, 
made the following recommendations on pecuniary subjects : 

(1.) For casing the piers he asked leave to incur the neces- 
sary expenses, which he estimated at $300, but desired a 
margin of 30 per cent. This was, after some delay, allowed. 

(2.) For digging a well, building a fence, and rendering the 
Observatory accessible by a plank walk (Albanians will under- 
stand its necessity), he recommended an appropriation of 
$270 with a margin of 20 per cent. This was voted with the 
condition that its expenditure be placed in the hands of a 
special sub-committee. 

(3.) He announced to the Trustees that he had engaged Mr. 
Richard Bygate to take charge of the premises at $700 a year, 
and was ready to meet the outlay in case the Board should 
not approve his course. They have not been willing to meet 
this outlay. 



32 



(4.) That the bills yet due of Messrs. Farmer and Polsey for 
orders given in 1856, by direction of Mr. Olcott, be paid. 
Their amount was $258.98, and when the officers of the Board 
declined immediate compliance, the payment was promptly 
made by Dr. Gould himself, and refunded some weeks later 
by the Trustees. 

(5.) That the batteries for supporting the seven sympathetic 
dials for the only two astronomical clocks owned by the 
Observatory, and for driving one of these clocks, be provided. 
The cost he estimated at $110. 

(6.) He has asked the payment of some bills for rare old 
astronomical books secured by the wish of Mr. Olcott, at 
European sales, previous to his removing to Albany. The 
exact sum is not at hand. 

The only outlays which we find capable of being considered 
as intended to contribute to the personal comfort of Dr. 
Gould, are : 1st. The sum of $78.69 paid by him in April for 
digging a well and obtaining water, and which was afterwards 
refunded ; 2d. The rendering the roof watertight, which only 
took place within the last four or five weeks ; 3d. The build- 
ing of a fence (Dr. Gould himself had put up one) ; and 4th. 
The laying of a line of planks to render the Observatory 
accessible in bad weather. 

We submit whether such expeditures justify Mr. Olcott in 
his sneers at the Director, who has been laboring so assidu- 
ously in the cause of the Observatory. 

We shall return to this subject when we come to speak 
more fully of the annoyances to which Dr. Gould has been sub- 
jected by the Trustees and their Executive Committee. 

If the available means of the Observatory have not been 
consumed, why have they not been put at Dr. Gould's dis- 
posal ? 

12. Payment of unauthorized demands. — It is true that the 
outlays requisite for carrying on the Observatory have not 
been authorized by the Trustees, and also that they have been 
uncomplainingly paid by Dr. Gould, from such resources as 



33 



he and his friends could command. How this can be distorted 
into a ground of censure we cannot comprehend. That they 
were not "unnecessary" as Mr. Olcott asserts, maybe inferred 
from their objects ; among which were the furnishing of the 
entire house and office, the means of lighting and heating, 
stationery, the salaries and pay for care of premises, the 
superintendence of the grounds and the Observatory building, 
the pay of the assistant who has had charge of the Calculating 
Engine, of the messenger and mail carrier, the making of a 
road, the laying out of grounds, the purchase of computing- 
tables, star-charts, and other works of reference, the con- 
stantly needed small repairs, &c, &c. 

We consider that these facts prove a shameful neglect of 
duty on the part of the Trustees, and only wonder at this 
unauthorized liberality on the part of Dr. Gould, considering 
the limited extent of his pecuniary means. 

13. "Gross and deliberate insults." — Mr. Olcott next proceeds 
to his charge of "gross and deliberate insults to the Trustees," 
— in order to discuss which very fully we propose following 
the correspondence of Dr. Gould with the Trustees, as con- 
tained in his printed pamphlet. 

On the 21st of January, two days after the compact with 
the Council had been formally ratified, Dr. Gould addressed 
the Trustees (see letter A of correspondence), applying for 
permission to use the promised appropriation of $1400 for 
mounting the instruments, furnishing the dwelling-house and 
office, bringing the calculating-machine into use, and for 
stationery, fuel, lights and books. 

We have already shown that the charges made by Mr. 
Olcott against Dr. Gould, contained in the next following- 
paragraphs of his statement, are not correct : that Dr. Gould 
did not ask for a new dome, as alleged by Mr. Olcott, and 
that he had actually been supporting the Observatory from 
his own private resources — a statement which Mr. Olcott pro- 
nounces fallacious. Following the correspondence between 
the officers of the Board of Trustees and the Director, which 
3 



34 



is in print in the hands of many of you, we proceed to show 
that "every dollar asked for [by Dr. Gould] in aid of scien- 
tific purposes," was not granted, as alleged by Mr. Olcott, 
and that Dr. Gould's statements of these matters in his letter 
of March 31st are not "fallacious/' but correct. 

The appropriations were not only not made until March, but 
were ingeniously contrived not to meet Dr. Gould's estimates. 
He had recommended the mounting of the meridian-circle, and 
estimated the cost at $300 ; also of the small Coast Survey 
transit, at a cost of $50. The Trustees appropriated $300 
for mounting the • meridian-circle, and $150 for mounting the 
large transit instrument of the Coast Survey, the putting-up 
of which he had not recommended, because, as he said, " the 
other items seem to have a prior claim." The Secretary of 
the Trustees writes that " the Trustees could not authorize 
the other expenditures for furnishing the house, etc., proposed 
in Dr. Gould's letter of Jan. 21st, until the appropriation of 
$2000 from the State shall have been secured." Now, was 
any farther appropriation made, after $1000' of the State 
appropriation had actually been passed over by the Eegents 
to the Trustees ? Dr. Gould addresses the Board in a respect- 
ful explanatory letter on March 4th as follows : 

Tou are aware that, in the absence of any appropriation by your Board, 
or authority from its officers, no means have been or are available for the 
earliest preliminary steps; such as the purchase of furniture, fuel, illumi- 
nation, or stationery ; that no provision has been made for care of premises, 
or the requisite manual labor ; and that the scanty furniture of the dwell- 
ing-house and office, the fuel, and the numerous outlays incident to the 
enterprise, are necessarily at the expense of the undersigned. It is of 
high importance, if not indispensable to a successful prosecution of the 
work, that some fit person should be placed in charge of the premises, to 
assume the care and supervision of the house and grounds ; and I have 
given much time to the endeavor to secure the services of a proper person, 
but thus far have found no satisfactory one whose employment would be 
within my power. I should be glad to learn from the Trustees or their 
representatives, their views of the course most proper for me to adopt 
with regard to this and similar points — being alike anxious to conform 



35 



entirely to their wishes, to assume no improper authority, and to evade 
no responsibility. Having undertaken both to carry on the Observatory, 
and to determine its meridian, with such aid as is furnished by the legis- 
lative appropriation, although this is not more than adequate for the 
latter object alone, your Scientific Council will spare no exertions to fulfil 
the spirit as well as the letter of their obligation to the Trustees. But it 
is most certain that this class of expenditures was not anticipated or 
considered by the Council, who had in mind only the' fulfilment of the 
scientific duties, after the construction and equipment should have been 
completed. * * * 

Whatever the views of the Trustees upon these questions may be, I 
should be glad to learn them, and shall endeavor to govern my course by 
reference to them. 

It had been my intention to present the substance of these few remarks 
to your Board at its recent meeting, but being uninformed of the time at 
which it was to take place, this was impossible for me. I have therefore 
requested your President to convene the Executive Committee, of whose 
appointment I have indirectly been informed, trusting that it may thus 
be possible for me to arrive at a better understanding of your wishes and 
views. 

To this respectful and explanatory letter no reply was 
given, and the exclusion of Dr. Gould from the meetings of 
the Executive Committee, and of the Board, has deprived him 
of the opportunity to make such personal explanation as might 
have enforced his written statements. 

Votes of the Executive Committee were communicated to 
Dr. Gould, by the Secretary, on the 9th of March, showing 
that the Committee had actually met ; but no notice was given 
of any action relating to the casing of the piers, and the cost 
of bringing the calculating-engine into use — though the 
former was among the items which Dr. Gould had stated in 
January to be necessary to the mounting of the circle, and 
the sum which the latter would cost had been stated in his 
estimates. When Dr. Gould called upon the President in 
his letter of March 10th, in reference to this matter, the 
Secretary of the Trustees, Dr. Armsby, replies that he "inad- 
vertently omitted to send" him the resolutions relating to it; 



36 



so that, had not Dr. Gould made his appeal, the action of the 
Committee would not have been known to him, the piers 
might to this day be without essential covering, and the cal- 
culatiDg-machine, by which the true anomaly of Mars has 
already been computed, might still be unused. Such an omis- 
sion by a Secretary might be called by a less mild term than 
inadvertence. 

The letter of the individual Trustees — which includes the 
names of seven out of eight of the Board who subsequently 
voted against Dr. Gould, viz., Thomas W. Olcott, Isaac W. 
Yosburgh, William H. De Witt, J. H. Armsby, Alden March, 
S. H. Ransom and John X. Wilder — shows, in our judgement, a 
most extraordinary spirit of intermeddling. It was not suffi- 
cient that Joseph McGeough should impede the progress of 
organization, by occupying rooms in the Observatory building 
which were needed for the scientific operations, but his irregu- 
lar conduct and his annoyance of Dr. Gould were sustained ; 
and this, though in hi3 kindness of heart Dr. Gould had 
offered McGeough pecuniary aid towards covering the expense 
to which his removal might subject him. This occupancy, which 
continued until May 1, actually debarred the astronomers 
from the use of the whole of the basement rooms of the 
Observatory, needed for the batteries, clocks, storage, &c. 

Up to this time (April) there was no well, and water had to 
be carried up the hill for all domestic purposes from the pumps 
in Van Woert street; there was no plank walk to render 
the Observatory accessible, although the approach to it is, for 
a great part of the distance, up a steep clay bank, destitute even 
of a grass sod ; and while the frost was leaving the ground, 
as it was during the months of February and March, the 
weight of the body often plunged the feet five or six inches 
deep in miry clay. The fences were not completed; the 
drain and sewer of the house were unfinished, and the coating 
of the roof was defective : no janitor or person to take care 
of the premises had been furnished by the Trustees; and 
finally, instead of committing these matters to Dr. Gould, a 



37 



sub-committee was actually appointed " to supervise the 
improvements proposed by Dr. G-ould." The matter of fur- 
nishing the house, the salary of janitor, &c, were referred to 
a committee, of whose action the Director had never been 
advised, if indeed they ever acted at all. The leaking of the 
roof of the house continued; and on the 12th of April, Dr. 
Gould addressed the President in regard to it, and the injury 
to the building and discomfort to the occupants were only 
remedied by proper repairs about the 25th of that month. 
The longitude-operations which the Superintendent of the 
Coast Survey had agreed to make were actually delayed, and 
additional expense in regard to them necessarily occasioned 
by a vote of the Executive Committee, that the operations 
should be paid for after they were completed, instead of 
making an advance to meet the expenses as they were occur- 
ring. This was remedied, but not until delay and unnecessary 
expense had been caused. Mr. Olcott treats this in his letter 
of April 29, as a " misunderstanding," and possibly it was 
such, but it was an unfortunate one. The final votes of the 
committee were only extracted from the tardy Secretary by 
an application from Dr. Gould on the Thursday after their 
Monday's meeting. 

At this time occurred one of the incidents in the history 
of this meddling, which if not unprecedented, is certainly most 
reprehensible. The Executive Committee met, and without 
consulting thg 'Director, or any member of the Scientific 
Council; threw open the grounds of the Observatory to the 
public ; directed the Treasurer to procure duplicate keys to 
the Observatory ; and requested Dr. Gould to place one set 
in his dwelling-house " for the sole and exclusive use of the 
Trustees ; " so that while Dr. Gould was held responsible 
for the care of the Observatory and its instruments, he was 
to be deprived of the power of effective control. To under- 
stand this high-handed step we must look back to the occur- 
rence of a few preceding days, and forward to the fourth 
resolution adopted at this time, which was this : 



38 



"Resolved, That Dr. Gould be officially requested, through the Secre- 
tary of the Board, to instruct the boys and young men who, as employees 
of the Coast Survey, are under his direction, that the Institution was 
endowed to a great extent through the efforts and by the munificence of 
private individuals residing in this city, and that the labor of securing 
the construction of its buildings, and their present equipments, has 
principally been performed here, and that it is largely dependent upon 
the friends of astronomical science in this vicinity for its future progress 
and usefulness. And that hereafter the Board of Trustees will require 
for themselves personally, and for all persons visiting the Observatory, 
the Candor, Courtesy and Civility everywhere essential, but especially so 
in an Institution which originated in the most generous and disinterested 
intentions, and which can only accomplish the work of its founders by 
securing in every legitimate way, and so deserving, the popular favor 
and support." 

We shall not hesitate to speak plainly in this matter. It 
is thus slurred over by Mr. Olcott : 

" Without noticing the many unpleasant indications of the state of 
feeling at the Observatory, the Executive Committee (composed of nine 
of the Trustees) felt called upon to rebuke recent gross and deliberate 
insults offered by Dr. Gould, through his youthful subordinates, to three 
of our Trustees. The Trustees had, in visiting the Observatory in the 
discharge of their duties, been refused admittance, the door closed in 
their faces, and otherwise treated with insolence, prevarication and 
falsehood. 

" This Board, I know, cannot be shaken in its abiding confidence in 
the truthfulness, honorable intentions and gentlemanly deportment of 
the Trustees referred to, by whomsoever they may be secretly lampooned 
or openly traduced." 

If we suppose, which is not correct, that gross and 
deliberate insults were offered by the young gentlemen to 
the Trustees, is Dr. Gould to be held responsible for this ? 
The answer is, Yes, if he justifies it. But Mr. Olcott says : 
" The Committee felt called upon to rebuke recent gross and 
deliberate insults offered by Dr. Gould through his youthful 
subordinates ! " To rebuke them before it was reported 



39 



Dr. Gould, before, in fact, he knew anything of the circum- 
stances ! Such hasty action is surely unbecoming, and so is 
this charge, to make which Mr. Olcott is obliged to ignore 
the order of time and the reasonable limits of official respon- 
sibility. 

The insults offered by Dr. Gould are the insults alleged to 
have been offered by his ''youthful subordinates." Who are 
these youthful subordinates thus rebuked by the Executive 
Committee and by Mr. Olcott? Four aids in the Coast 
Survey of the United States — remarkable for their attain- 
ments in science — for their industry, zeal and devotion to 
astronomical occupations, — young men who have received 
careful training in their families, and of high moral and 
religious principles, of gentlemanly deportment and amiable 
manners. We appeal to Mr. De Witt, one of the nine Trus- 
tees, if he does not personally know thi3 to be true of the 
young gentleman who was said to be foremost in offering 
these insults. Their conduct and character, public and 
private, have hitherto been unimpeached. If they want 
years, that is a fault which time will be sure to mend. The 
law declares them to be men ; but even were they as young 
as Mr. Olcott asserts, we have no sympathy with the sneers 
of the Executive Committee against youth. These sneers 
cannot be justified, even by the mature age of those from 
whom they come. The honor and reputation of these young 
men are as dear to them, to the Director, to the Scientific 
Council, to their parents, relatives and friends, as that of any 
sexagenarian among us. We challenge the city of Albany to 
produce four young men more exemplary in their characters, 
or excellent in their attainments. 

What was their position ? Earning from the government 
by scientific labor a mere pittance, by labor continued 
through so many hours of the day that it has been adjudged 
throughout the world to be a day's full task, they never- 
theless volunteered to assist Dr. Gould in his gratuitous and 
severe toil at the Dudley Observatory. Receiving no support 



40 



from the Observatory, barely provided -with a place to shel- 
ter themselves, and essential, by its proximity to the Observa- 
tory, to the execution of work by night or by day, with no 
comforts or luxuries of furniture or appliances of domestic 
life provided at the cost of the Trustees, — at least the 
independence of their position should have been acknowl- 
edged by the Board ; and they should have been treated with 
gentlemanly mildness and courtesy, perhaps even with some 
indications of sympathy and regard which might serve as a 
recognition of their noble zeal and disinterestedness. No 
rude remark, no criticism of the conduct of their friend 
Dr. Gould, no haughty assumption of contrast of position 
should have been used by the visiting Trustees. A smile 
rather than a rude rebuke should have followed any exhibi- 
tion of irritation or hasty temper, consequent upon the 
generous impulses of youth in defence of their preceptor 
and friend. We have only the ex parte statements of the 
assistants themselves, except in one case, where the Trustee's 
own account of his conduct was such as to condemn him in 
the eyes of the friend to whom he related it. The Trustees 
seem to have forgotten that these young gentlemen were not 
their paid employees, and that the office of showman, although 
constantly and courteously discharged by them, formed no 
part of the duties which they had so generously and nobly 
volunteered to perform. The visiting Trustees had no right 
to accost them as they did, making demands upon them 
which should have been addressed to the Director, if to any 
one. Had the assistants been salaried as astronomers by 
the institution, their treatment by Messrs. Arnisby, Wilder 
and Pruyn would have been indefensible, and the vote of the 
Trustees entirely inexcusable. We should have been glad 
had the Trustees enabled us to look at the other side, but 
they have declined to do this. We can therefore only say 
that, as far as we understand the case, the rudeness was on 
the part of the visiting Trustees, not of the "juvenile subor- 
dinates," and that the conduct of the latter was remarkably 



41 



discreet and exemplary. Dr. Armsby and Mr. Wilder should 
have gone into the Observatory with Dr. Gould when he 
offered to show them into it, and not have waited his absence 
to endeavor to effect a surreptitious entrance. Dr. Armsby 
and Mr. Pruyn, instead of urging admittance at a time when 
they knew Dr. Gould was not on the premises, should have 
taken care by a suitable notice to secure his presence when 
they called. Their communication with the assistants was 
an unseemly act of itself, and the demands made were still 
more unseemly. There is no evidence before us that the 
Trustees were "refused admittance," or "the doors closed in 
their faces ; " and to the contrary we have positive testimony. 
That they were treated with " insolence, prevarication and 
falsehood," is untrue. Such charges against gentlemen of 
any age require the strongest proof, and, unless that proof 
is submitted, the accuser must meet the deserved reprobation. 
No such proof has been furnished by Mr. Olcott. Insolence, 
prevarication and falsehood are not in accordance with the 
character of these young men, and we pronounce the charge 
baseless. They are, we are sure, such young men as the 
citizens of Albany would be proud to have as friends and 
acquaintances for their sons, and as examples of a virtuous, 
studious, hard-working, youthful career. We appeal to the 
citizens not to let this high-handed oppression of youth pass 
without the most scathing rebuke. 

14. The Extraordinanj Letter of May Zlst. — Mr. Olcott 
continues : 

" The resolutions of the Committee relative to the insults offered to 
the Trustees, drew from Dr. Gould the extraordinary letter before 
referred to, of May 31st. In this letter Dr. Gould asks the Committee 
to rescind the resolutions, refuses to unite with the Trustees in preparing 
rules and regulations for admission to the Observatory, declines to 
instruct his young men to treat visiters with civility, and expresses sur- 
prise at resolutions so " improper and unjust." He even eulogizes as 
"gentlemen," as "astronomers," as patron saints of the Institution — 
" his young aspirants," not one of whom are probably out of their teens. 



42 



This letter affords sufficient justification for terminating his relations 
with this Institution, unless arrogance, insolence and conceit are suited 
to the taste of gentlemen of this Board." 

By this " extraordinary letter " of Dr. Gould lie may well 
be content to be judged. It is a model of a plain, direct, 
manly, independent statement. Tyrants only object to. such 
addresses. The angry President concludes that •'< This letter 
affords sufficient justification- for terminating his relations icith this 
institution, unless arrogance, insolence and conceit are suited 
to the taste of gentlemen of this Board." The letter is at 
hand, fellow-citizens ; you have read it. If the Trustees 
have placed a right construction upon it, it has been errone- 
ously construed by us. 

"We can see only a proper appeal to a committee who have 
passed resolutions injurious, in Dr. Gould's view, to the 
interests of the Observatory, and insulting to his assistants. 
If he had failed to ask a reconsideration from the Committee, 
he would have failed in his duty. The Committee had, 
unheard, condemned his associates, a foreshadowing of the 
action of the Board subsequently in his own case. He 
appeals mildly to the Committee, but their temper permits 
no such appeal to have effect. The President now insults, 
more grossly than before, these young men, "not one of 
whom are probably out of their teens," even inventing 
epithets for Dr. Gould to give point to his sneers against 
" the patron saints of the institution," as he absurdly alleges 
they were called. Alas, what a spectacle of the injustice to 
which temper leads ! No difference of age, no difference of 
position, is permitted to shield these excellent young men 
from the crushing sarcasm of the mature but angry President 
of the Board. 

We will, if Mr. Olcott chooses, advise Dr. Gould to submit 
his case to any impartial tribunal, upon this letter, and to 
vacate his place without a struggle, if it is decided, as 
Mr. Olcott asserts, that " This letter affords sufficient justifi- 



43 



cation for terminating his relations with this institution." 
That the " arrogance, insolence and conceit " of this 
letter are not there, you, fellow-citizens, will readily see. 
The " arrogance and conceit " which induce a man of finance 
to undertake to pronounce an astronomer ignorant of his pro- 
fession, show why and how far he is incompetent to judge of 
this letter. If we also consider his temper — the exhibition 
of which in this letter of charges, is in remarkable contrast 
with that shown by Dr. Gould in his letters — the case 
against Mr. Olcott becomes conclusive. If this letter were 
adequate cause for Dr. Gould's removal, why not remove him 
upon it ? Why go to the length of trumping up a series of 
frivolous, absurd and malignant charges against him? It 
would have been meeting Dr. Gould in a manly spirit had 
Mr. Olcott preferred charges on this letter before the Coun- 
cil, and demanded upon this Dr. Gould's dismissal. 

In what portion of this letter Mr. Olcott would find 
justification for terminating relations with Dr. Gould, is 
inconceivable to us ; and it is not wonderful that he did not 
attempt, by argument or resolution, to vindicate his assertion 
to those of his associates whom he controls with such 
absolute sway. Is it to be found in the highly dignified and 
respectful array of argument, with which Dr. Gould meets 
the unguarded and intemperate resolutions of the Trustees, 
and without a harsh or improper word shows their absolute 
inconsistency with the scientific conduct of the Observatory ? 
Was it that he did not understand his position, and submit 
with the cringing humility of a servant to the first intimation 
of his master ? 

The first resolution, which claims that the land of the Obser- 
vatory, which was devoted by General Van Rensselaer to the 
service of astronomy, shall be daily opened as a place of 
popular amusement, and given up with unconstrained freedom 
to noisy sports, is absurd. To condemn Dr. Gould for his 
quiet and simple remonstrance to this absurd proposition, 
comes with an ill grace from one who has, with extreme care, 



44 



protected his own estate from the intrusion even of the eye 
of a passing stranger. We sustain Dr. Gould's equally calm 
reply to the second resolution of the Trustees, which would 
deprive the Director of the exclusive power of admitting 
and rejecting unofficial visiters. The Trustees can bring no 
good authority in support of this claim, which is entirely 
incompatible with the administration of a well-regulated insti- 
tution ; and even in the poor instance cited by Mr. Wilder, 
in which a public observatory seems to have been offered as a 
place of amusement, the offer came from the Director, and not 
from a superior authority. But in this portion of Dr. Gould's 
letter the Council read the most convincing assurances of his 
desire to grant every possible facility for the gratification of 
a laudable curiosity ; and so far is the letter, in this respect, 
from giving the foundation of a complaint against him, that, 
combined with our knowledge of his character, it is a warrant 
for the claim that the Observatory, under his direction, would 
be preeminently distinguished for the intellectual profit which 
it would freely give to its visiters. 

To the third resolution, with its studied sneers, the reply of 
Dr. Gould was necessarily firm and decisive. The demand that 
" at any and all hours any of the Trustees should have free 
access" to the Observatory, "with or without friends," — in- 
volving, perhaps, an equally free access to his private dwelling- 
house, in which the duplicate keys were to be deposited " for 
the sole and exclusive use of the Trustees," will probably be 
decided against them by the public, which is not yet ready to 
sustain such an inquisitorial and despotic resolution, and our 
chief wonder is that the Director could reply to it with such 
an undisturbed equanimity of temper. The final resolution 
in which the young men of the Observatory are spoken of as 
boys, and the Director is requested to address them in words 
which involve rebuke and censure, at least, if not insult, is 
declined by Dr. Gould with a gentlemanly dignity which we 
strongly approve, while we also sympathize with his honora- 
ble recognition of their services, and cordially unite in it. 



45 



In conclusion, we declare that this letter, which Mr. Olcott 
condemns, meets our hearty approbation and full concurrence. 

15. The Clocks and Chronographs. — Toys for juvenile com- 
panions and visiters. 

The Normal Clock. — The attempt to make Dr. Gould respon- 
sible for the non-arrival of the normal sidereal clock, is truly 
preposterous. He has written repeatedly to the maker, and 
the delay in its completion has borne more hardly upon the 
Director than upon any one else. 

The Clock of Messrs. Blunt. — Mr. Olcott alleges that " the 
beautiful clock given by the Messrs. Blunt, of New York, was 
not acceptable to Dr. Gould, but he expressed a wish that 
they would take it back and give something else in its place." 
"Will it be believed that this " unacceptable " present of the 
Messrs. Blunt is actually so much prized by Dr. Gould that 
he has used it in the stead of the Normal Clock ? "We have 
seen this noble timepiece filling this important place in the 
Dudley Observatory. 

Electrical Clocks. — We come now to the consideration of 
the clocks constructed by direction of Dr. Gould, and pro- 
nounced by Mr. Olcott " useless only as toys for the entertain- 
ment of his juvenile companions, and of visiters." 

It is well known to those who have acquaintance with the 
history of astronomy, that the application of electricity to 
astronomical purposes, and especially to the recording of 
observations, is an American invention. It has been developed 
and applied extensively in connection with the Coast-Survey 
operations under the late Sears C. Walker and Dr. Gould, 
and it was expected by astronomers that the Dudley Obser- 
vatory would furnish the most perfect arrangements of this 
application yet devised. 

It was therefore the earnest desire of Dr. Gould and of 
the Scientific Council that this part of the Observatory equip- 
ment should be of the most elaborate description, and furnish 
another forward step in the "American method." For this 



46 



purpose Dr. Gould, after much thought, devised a system of 
clocks and dials to carry out the essential requisites of the 
plan. New combinations of clock-mechanism were required 
for this purpose ; and with the assistance of Mr. Farmer, one 
of the most ingenious mechanicians of our day, the desired 
result has been accomplished. The system consists of two 
classes of clocks, which are intended for quite different 
purposes. The one class belongs to the exclusive astronomi- 
cal conduct of the Observatory, and the other is for the trans- 
mission of time-signals to distant places and their reception 
there. The regulator of the first is to be the normal sidereal 
clock, the means for purchasing which was provided by the 
liberality of Mr. Corning. It is true this clock has not yet 
been received; but anyone acquainted with the tardiness 
with which orders of this kind are filled might have attributed 
the delay to some more probable and certainly more chari- 
table cause than the negligence of Dr. Gould. It is certainly 
strange that he should be censured for completing all the 
other arrangements, so that nothing should be wanting when 
the standard clock arrived, to put the system immediately in 
operation. Meanwhile, through the kindness of his friends, 
Messrs. Blunt, a clock has been lent the Observatory, tempo- 
rarily to supply the place of the one not yet received. And 
this clock, — so far from being rejected by Dr. Gould, as Mr. 
Olcott's remarks would imply, — has been in constant, active 
service since the work of the Observatory commenced. The 
standard clock is to be placed in the basement, imbedded in 
masonry, to obviate as far as possible the effects of changes 
of temperature, and protected by a case, by which the moisture 
is excluded and prevented from affecting the delicacy of the 
workmanship. But though unseen itself, it transmits by means 
of the electric current, tick by tick, its measurement of time 
to three dials, (not separate clocks, as Mr. Olcott would lead 
his readers to suppose,) placed in the three principal observing 
rooms of the building. Dependent upon the sidereal time 
obtained by astronomical observation, is the series of dials 



47 



which indicate the mean, or ordinary solar, time of the Obser- 
vatory. The pendulum for this purpose is itself sustained in 
motion by galvanic agency, and also regulates three dials in 
different parts of the establishment, beside the great marble 
Dial of the entrance hall, known as the Corning clock. 

The other system, intended for communicating time-signals, 
consists of two parts, one designed for transmission of the 
signal, and the other attached to the distant clock for its 
automatic adjustment at the moment when the signal is 
received. 

A part of this machinery has been placed in one of the 
rooms in the dwelling-house for more easy observation of the 
working of the system, and the remainder is kept constantly 
in action, in order to make any corrections which experience 
may deem necessary. We must confess that we are somewhat 
surprised that Mr. Olcott should say these clocks are " use- 
less only as toys for the entertainment of Dr. Gould's ju- 
venile companions, and of visiters," when it may be gathered 
from all his remarks that the most important object of the 
Observatory is, in his judgement, to excite popular wonder. 

It must be evident to the observant reader, from the whole 
tenor of Mr. Olcott's remarks, that the Executive Committee 
consider themselves fully equal to the task of conducting the 
astronomical work of the Observatory themselves ; that, not 
content with the financial management of the establishment, 
they attempt to assume the direction of the astronomical 
operations; that Dr. Gould and the Scientific Council are 
merely a part of the machinery of the establishment, to be 
directed and operated upon in order to produce results cor- 
responding with the peculiar notions of the Trustees. It is 
to be regretted that the Trustees were not more explicit in 
the beginning in regard to their views and intentions. The 
Scientific Council supposed that they were to have the sole 
direction of the scientific part of the establishment. They 
placed full reliance in the statements of Mr. Olcott and the 
other members of the Executive Committee, that they were 



48 



they had no knowledge of astronomy, and that they 
desired to be entirely guided by the advice of the Council in 
astronomical matters. It would, however, now appear that 
these were mere rhetorical expressions, intended to exalt the 
importance of their knowledge by a show of modesty, and 
that the real object of the election of a Scientific Council 
was to parade them forth on special occasions, and like the 
supernumeraries of a mock theatrical procession, to give 
tinsel dignity to the pageant. 

This might be compatible with the views of Mr. Olcott 
and his colleagues, but it was far from the conceptions of the 
members of the Scientific Council ; and neither their self- 
respect nor their ideas of the true advancement of science 
would have permitted them for a moment to lend their 
names to such a system of folly and absurdity. The Trus- 
tees ought to be aware of the fact that in attempting to 
establish a great institution, and in calling the attention of 
the whole civilized world to their efforts, they have involved 
the reputation of the Scientific Council, of the city of 
Albany, and of the whole United States. They should, 
farther, be aware that there is a graver consideration than 
that of simply rendering ridiculous all connected with the 
establishment : namely, the moral effect which will be sure to 
follow an abortive attempt of this kind, preventing future 
donations for founding scientific establishments in our 
country. It is not only that the generous gifts of Mrs. Dud- 
ley and the other liberal contributors will be worse than 
squandered should the present course be insisted on, but that 
all confidence in the ability of Boards of Trustees to manage 
affairs of this kind will be seriously impaired, if not de- 
stroyed. 

16. The Transit-Instrument. — We agree with Dr. Gould, 
that under the present circumstances of the Observatory it 
was not desirable to mount the large transit-instrument. 
The small one already mounted is adequate to give time for 
the regular operations of the institution, and for the other 



49 



purposes for which it is now employed. To expose the first- 
named costly instrument to injury, by mounting it before it is 
to be used, is not expedient. The means, too, must obviously 
be taken from some other purpose, which, as Dr. Gould cor- 
rectly stated in his letter to the Executive Committee, should 
take precedence of this. "While the Observatory is not only 
deficient in means, but has very few assistants for observing 
and computing, the addition of an instrument which is not in- 
dispensable is to be avoided. The suggestions of Dr. Gould 
were judicious ; they tended to economy and efficacy, and the 
Executive Committee, it seems to us, were traveling out of 
their province, when they urged the mounting of this instru- 
ment. It may do for Mr. Olcott to adopt their views, but we 
cannot sanction the proceeding. The Committee should at 
least have advised with the Scientific Council, before deciding 
a scientific question against the Director. 

17. The Meridian- Circle. — In this superb instrument there 
are embodied such a variety and combination of improvements 
that there is a full measure of reputation for all concerned in 
its production. The beauty and finish of its execution, and 
the consummate perfection of the design, in which all the 
suggestions are so admirably combined, attest at one view 
the masterly skill of the makers, Messrs. Pistor & Martins; 
but our present duty is to consider the especial merits of the 
Director of the Observatory in relation to its construction. 
There are a few instruments in the world of such excellence 
as always to have been called by the name of him who had 
the final responsibility of the plans for their construction. 
Such are Repsold's Heliometer, Airy's Altazimuth instrument, 
Hassler's Theodolite, and such is this Meridian-Circle. Dr. 
Gould is in intimate correspondence with all the principal 
astronomers of the world, and we believe that no man can 
exhibit more unanimous proofs of the confidence of his 
brethren in science, or more richly deserves them. He has 
been a faithful student in the Observatories of Gb'ttingen, 
Berlin, Greenwich and Paris, and is most familiar with those 
4 



50 



at Oxford, Cambridge, Altona, Bonn and Pulkowa, as well as 
a great number of observatories of less widely extended 
reputation. He frankly discussed the first plan of his Me- 
ridian-Circle with the Directors of many observatories, and 
it is due to these distinguished men to say that their criti- 
cisms and suggestions were given with earnest and sympa- 
thizing cordiality ; and here, as in all his intercourse with 
generous men, the respect and friendship which were at first 
manifested have never been withdrawn. It would be impos- 
sible to describe this great instrument in a few sentences, 
and the greater part of its remarkable improvements have 
been commemorated to the world by the letter of Encke. 
There are several of its improvements which have even es- 
caped the notice of this distinguished astronomer, and which 
must be reserved for the scientific description of the instru- 
ment. It is sufficient to say in on,e word, that it stands with- 
out a rival, the noblest instrument of its class which has 
been constructed, and that we are indebted, before all others, 
to Dr. Gould for its conception. It is the offspring of his 
genius, and the degree of personal feeling must be intense 
which would sever the Director from this instrument without 
giving him the opportunity of establishing its reputation, and 
securing it from the obloquy behind which some unskillful ob- 
server might seek to hide his own incapacity. The circle is 
already mounted, so far as the transit element is involved, 
and no time has been lost in the execution of the delicate 
attendant operations. One of the greatest improvements in 
the construction of the instrument consisted in the imbedding 
of the microscope-tubes into the single stones constituting 
the piers, by which the utmost solidity is secured to their 
position. The drilling, which is greatly augmented by this 
process, requires to be conducted with extreme precision. 
The happy idea of protecting the piers from rapid changes of 
temperature and dampness, by a clothing of non-conducting 
material included within an external wooden casing, has been 
here introduced for the first time, and these coverings require 



51 



to be fully completed before the microscopes can receive then- 
final mounting, and the instrument be ready for the work of 
adjustment. 

18. Microscopes. — Another frivolous charge against Dr. 
Gould is that of sending off parts of the meridian-circle 
without the consent of the President of the Board of Trus- 
tees. The misdemeanor, set forth in this charge, consists in 
putting into the hands of Mr. Spencer (to whom had been 
confided the making of the great Heliometer) the microscopes 
intended to read the fine graduation on the limbs of the 
circle. Examination of these eight microscopes led Dr. 
Gould to believe that they required a slight modification, in 
order to obviate all danger of flexure. After consultation 
with Mr. Spencer, he states that he took the precaution (quite 
superfluous under any ordinary circumstances) of asking and 
obtaining authority from Mr. Olcott himself. The change 
was of a trifling character, consisting in the addition of a 
ring of brass, with two pegs and a spring. It might readily 
be removed at any time, and the idea that it could possibly 
interfere with any claims of the Trustees against the makers, 
is ridiculous even did any ground for claims of any sort exist. 
It would be difficult to explain so frivolous a charge, except 
by attributing it to the promptings of prejudice and ill- 
feeling. 

19. Continued delay. — Unfolding glories. — Mr. Olcott would 
seem to think that the meridian-instruments are intended for 
a less useful but more popular purpose than their real one ; 
since he alludes to " the unfolding glories which they are 
expected to reveal." 

The preparations for mounting the meridian-circle have 
been a work of great labor and thought. The instrument, 
together with its microscopes, counterbalances, adjustments, 
&c, is supported by two stone piers, weighing somewhat more 
than seven tons each, cut away in various places and perfor- 
ated with cylindrical holes, the position and direction of 
which require adjustment with almost mathematical precision. 



52 



This labor cannot be compared with that attending the erec- 
tion of any other meridian-circle, inasmuch as the peculiarities 
of construction of this one entail this peculiar care in mount- 
ing. The work of drilling and cutting the holes occupied the 
continued labor of from two to four men for seven weeks, and 
demanded constant superintendence and device. The neces- 
sary measurements and markings alone required long-con- 
tinued and close application. The stone piers again are 
covered with a tightly fitted clothing of a felt-like fabric, 
woven especially for the purpose, and then provided with a 
casing of wood, saturated on each surface with a solution of 
shellac. The object of these coverings is to exclude the 
influence of temperature and moisture from the piers ; and 
they are rendered important by the circumstance that the 
delicately adjusted microscopes are supported by the stone 
itself. Every precaution has. been taken which the experi- 
ence of the world suggested, to render the observations to be 
made with this splendid instrument as perfect as the present 
state of science will allow. 

To accuse Dr. Gould of tardiness or delay in this work, is 
to speak without knowledge, or to pervert truth. We will 
not assert that Mr. Olcott was actuated by the latter motive ; 
but the confidence with which his incorrect assertions are 
uttered, shows either an assumption of astronomical knowl- 
edge, or a recklessness of assertion entirely incompatible 
with justice. 

So far from being delayed or protracted, the work has been 
advanced quite as rapidly as could have been reasonably 
expected, had the whole time of Dr. Gould been available for 
this purpose alone. Even had his mind not been oppressed 
and harassed with care and anxiety, the work of putting up 
this instrument would of itself have creditably represented 
the time employed. When it is remembered what a multi- 
tude of other occupations have weighed upon his mind, to 
distract his attention and absorb his time, our language 
regarding this unfounded accusation of delay will not be con- 
sidered too severe. 



53 



Since meridian-instruments like the circle and transit are 
altogether unfit for scrutinizing the physical peculiarities of 
celestial bodies, and are designed exclusively for measure- 
ments of position, the rhetorical flourish relative to " panting 
for the unfolding glories which they are expected to reveal," 
is ludicrous. 

20. Incompetency. — Another grave charge, seriously affect- 
ing the character of Dr. Gould, is that of incompetency. To 
render this charge more emphatical, it is printed in italics. 
" The truth," says Mr. Olcott, " in my judgement, lies in a nut- 
shell. It is a discreet unwillingness to test his skill as a 
practical astronomer." 

This charge does not affect Dr. Gould alone, but also the 
Scientific Council. It charges them — either with recklessness, 
in placing without proper caution a man at the head of the 
Observatory who was incapable of discharging its duties ; or, 
when knowing his infirmities, with sacrificing the interests of 
the Observatory to personal considerations. We emphati- 
cally disclaim both of these allegations; and, though Mr. 
Olcott may, from his financial success in life, have good reason 
to place full reliance upon his judgement in money matters, we 
think he overestimates its value when called to pronounce upon 
matters pertaining to astronomical science. However infallible 
his judgement may be in ordinary affairs, the confidence he re- 
poses in it, as applied to this subject, may possibly be fallacious. 

But who is this Dr. Gould, who has thus been pronounced 
incompetent ? Though self-respect might prevent him from 
answering this question himself, yet the Scientific Council 
when accused of a want of caution or honesty on his account, 
may be permitted to answer it. Dr. Gould graduated at 
Cambridge with high honors. He early resolved to devote 
himself to astronomy, and for this purpose passed four years 
in Europe. He devoted one year to study at Berlin, under 
Encke, one to research at Gottingen, under Gauss, and nearly 
two years more to labors at the Imperial or Royal observa 



54 



tories of England, France and Russia, under the superinten- 
dence of men like Airy, Arago, Struve, Hansen, Schumacher, 
&c, &c. In this way he was enabled to become acquainted 
with the peculiarities of each observatory, and from the talents 
(and we may say genius) which he exhibited in the acquisition 
of the old and suggestion of new knowledge, he gained general 
esteem, and the warm friendship (of which we have abun- 
dant proof) of the most distinguished astronomers of Europe. 
Returning to America, he was employed on the Coast Survey 
as successor to the illustrious Walker, in the practical deter- 
minations of longitudes by the telegraphic system ; and we 
beg to place the positive results of his labors in this line 
against the judgement of Mr. Olcott, however confidently 
expressed. 

When, a few years ago, the astronomical expedition under 
Lieut. Gilliss had been fitted out by the U. S. Government 
and sent to Chile, for the purpose of determining the distance 
of the sun from the earth — this being the great astronomical 
unit upon which all our measurements of the vast distances 
of space depend — nearly three years were devofed, by the 
accomplished officer in charge and his assistants, to obtaining 
a series of extended and minute observations. Upon the 
return of the expedition, the whole collection of observations, 
made in pursuance of the objects of the expedition, was placed 
by the Secretary of the Navy, in the hands of Dr. Gould for 
reduction and the determination of the desired quantities. The 
manner in which this work was performed may be seen by 
the published results ; and even if it should be pronounced 
by Mr. Olcott an evidence of the author's unskillfulness, we 
think we shall be able to show, in opposition to this judge- 
ment, that it has met the general approbation of the scientific 
world. Dr. Gould has continuously sustained, at his own 
expense, for the last nine years, an Astronomical Journal of 
the first class. Through its columns the principal additions 
to astronomy which have been made in our country during 
the period above mentioned, have been given to the world. 



55 



It has become a standard of reference in the history of 
astronomy, which, on account of the connection of its Editor 
"with the Dudley Observatory, has served, with other circum- 
stances, to render the name of this establishment familiar to 
every astronomer. We need not dwell farther on the labors 
of Dr. Gould, but it will be sufficient to refer to the astro- 
nomical periodicals of the last dozen years for an answer to 
the question — " "What has he done ? " His labors in connec- 
tion with the Observatory will be mentioned hereafter. In 
concluding this part of our statement, we cannot refrain from 
expressing our astonishment that Mr. Olcott should presume 
to pronounce a judgement in this case. 

It is evident that the Trustees and the Scientific Council 
have views of the Observatory incompatible with each other. 
The aims of the two are as different as the motives of those 
who seek mere notoriety are from the motives of those who 
seek true reputation. The great object of the former seems 
to be to make an impression upon the popular mind, by means 
of a display of imposing instruments and apparatus. The 
object of the Scientific Council is to render the institution a 
means of producing original additions to knowledge, which 
may command the approval of the scientific world and confer 
lasting honor upon the Observatory. 

21. The gratuity to the makers of the meridian-circle. — The 
next charge is that of sending, without authority from the 
Board, $300 as a gratuity to the makers of the meridian-cir- 
cle. To show the basis of this, we quote from the letter of 
Dr. Gould to these mechanicians, Messrs. Pistor & Martins, 
of Berlin : 

" I had hoped to announce to you before now that the meridian-circle 
•was set up and adjusted, and to inclose a few hundred dollars as the rea- 
sonable contribution of the Trustees of the Observatory to reimburse you 
for the unforeseen expenses incurred. * * * * I feel myself 
bound in honor to protect you against loss from an instrument for which 
I contracted with you, as well as planned in some measure ; and all the 



56 



more, inasmuch as I believe it to be a most honorable and beautiful speci- 
men of your skill. Will you, therefore, have the goodness to draw upon 
me for $300 at ten days' sight, which draft shall be duly honored." 

This letter needs no comment from us. It is in keeping 
with Dr. Gould's character, and with his course since he has 
been connected with the Dudley Observatory. It certainly 
required ingenuity on the part of the President of the Board 
to make it assume even the semblance of an accusation 
against him. But this is not all. Dr. Gould has laid before 
us his correspondence with Mr. Olcott upon this subject, and 
we have seen that it contains a full explanation of the matter, 
— the courteous and forbearing tone of Dr. Gould's replies 
contrasting strongly with the offensive style of the letters 
from Mr. Olcott, to which they are in answer. 

Accusations such as these, when properly stated, only 
declare the temper and spirit of the accuser, and result in 
doing honor to the accused. 

22. Gentleman from West. — The story of the gentleman 
from the West, which is introduced by Mr. Olcott, has been 
traced, by the help of one of the Trustees, from its origin to 
its present form, and we declare that it grew out of a single 
misconception, exaggerated until it took its present dimen- 
sions — reminding us of that trite history of exaggeration 
which each one will refer to at once for himself. 

23. Opposition to Professor Bache. — Letter to the "Albany 
Knickerbocker."'' — In order to convict Dr. Gould of misstate- 
ments, Mr. Olcott actually undertakes to overlook the fact, 
which he has previously stated with some elaboration, that 
the arrangement, made with the Superintendent of the Coast 
Survey in 1855, was superseded in January by the contract 
which placed the Observatory under the charge of the Scien- 
tific Council. We assert that at that meeting Dr. Bache 
distinctly stated that he had received Mr. Olcott's proposi- 
tion, as a member of the Scientific Council, and then and 
there proceeded to express a renewal of the acceptance in 



57 



the same capacity. The Observatory was placed — as Mr. 
Olcott's letter to Professor Henry, already quoted, states — 
under the charge of Dr. Gould, subject only to the Scientific 
Council. The fact that Dr. Gould and his assistants are offi- 
cers of the Coast Survey, does not place the institution in 
any way under the control of that work, whatever may be its 
legal right growing out of the longitude-operations still in 
progress. 

24. Peculation. — It is difficult to convey our idea in regard 
to this charge, without using such strong language as we pre- 
fer not to employ. To say that it is untrue ; that it has not 
a particle of foundation; that it is baseless; has not the 
shadow of reality or an excuse for it — would be feeble, com- 
pared with the convictions that we have of the character of 
the imputation. That a man who as Trustee was responsible 
for the funds of the donors, and charges himself, in order to 
charge Dr. Gould, with " wasteful expenditures," should 
bring such an accusation, which is sure to recoil, strikes us as 
most extraordinary. There would be as much foundation for 
any other infamous charge as for this. This is not like the 
arraignment of being ignorant of practical astronomy, which 
the banker may prefer against the astronomer without feeling 
or knowing its enormity; it is brought by one who is accus- 
tomed to handle funds of his own and of other people, and 
who should be sensitive in regard to a charge of peculation. 

This assertion, that Dr. Gould " individually pockets, in 
addition to his salary, the very considerable income from lon- 
gitude determinations," we solemnly, after deliberate investi- 
gation, pronounce unsupported by a shadow of foundation. 
Mr. Olcott's insinuation, " this explains his past anxiety to 
grasp the legislative appropriation," is in perfect keeping 
with the rest of Mr. Olcott's charges, and we feel that it will 
but add to the indignation felt by every right-minded man 
who reads the attack. 

The accounts paid by Dr. Gould, and for which he has 



58 



exhibited to us the vouchers, are, — for materials, $58.29; for 
pay-roll of persons, $215.93; for traveling expenses, $70.75; 
for subsistence of two assistants, $124.00; for contingencies, 
batteries, messages, &c, $65.55 ; for freight and cartage, 
$64.47 ; putting up line of wire, $43.75 ; for second pay-roll 
of persons to June 23, $118.29; for subsistence of assist- 
ants, $28.00; for stone foundations, $49.94; for hardware, 
$6.96; for lumber, $64.51; for carpenter's work, $18.50; 
making a total of $928.94. 

Assistant Dean, Sub-Assistant Goodfellow, and Artificer 
McDonnell, of the Coast Survey, were engaged in the opera- 
tions, drawing their regular salaries from the Survey. Of the 
sum of $928.94, disbursed by Dr. Gould, only $600 has been 
advanced by Mr. Olcott. 

So much for the charge of peculation ! Will public justice 
permit such a charge to be made and not take cognizance 
of it? 

25. Letter to the German Journal. — The matter of Dr. 
Gould's letter to the Astronomical Journal of Altona is a 
perfectly simple one. He and his assistants are bound to 
render certain services during office-hours, fixed by the Gov- 
ernment at six hours per day. For this they receive their 
pay. This time is devoted to computations connected with 
the longitude-measurements of the Coast Survey. Beyond 
these office-hours the Government has no claim upon their 
time. They give their remaining time during the day, and 
their nights, to the Dudley Observatory. This honorable 
service, for which the thanks of the Council are here tendered 
to them, should be acknowledged with all praise. It is but 
scantily compensated by the advantage of the dwelling-rooms, 
derived from the Observatory, and fire, lights and furniture 
furnished by the Director from his private means. It is such 
service as is well compensated in the 
abroad. We have had occasion to know positively that it is 
good service, faithful and zealous, intelligent, skillful service, 



59 



— 'honorable to the Director who could inspire the desire for 
it, and give the training needed ; most honorable to these 
"young aspirants," who it is easy to see will, at no distant 
day, be among the leading spirits of astronomical research in 
our country. It shows no small power of winning good-will 
and preserving it, that these young men, thus working, should 
be devoted, as they are, to Dr. Gould, — sympathizing like 
brothers in his troubles, and ready at all times to relieve, as 
far as is in their power, his cares and anxieties. 

The idea of founding a charge of peculation upon this let- 
ter is one of the most extraordinary that a reasonable man 
can conceive. It goes to show how entirely unfit the Trus- 
tees were, in temper and feeling, to sit in judgement upon Dr. 
Gould ; and it serves to explain the accusations of insolence, 
prevarication and falsehood preferred against the assistants 
of Dr. Gould. We must do these gentlemen the bare justice 
to say that we have met them officially and privately for some 
days, and that one of us has known them for some years, and 
that in every particular their conduct has commended them 
to our high respect and regard. 

26. Cooperation. — Recurring to the idea of the national 
character of the Dudley Observatory, Mr. Olcott declares 
that the personal relations of Dr. Gould with Mitchel, with 
Maury, with the Bonds, and with Briinnow, are such as to pre- 
clude the hope of concert and cooperation with them. How 
utterly this is unwarranted by the facts, is shown by the pages 
of the Astronomical Journal, edited by Dr. Gould, and which 
contains constant contributions from the Bonds, Maury and 
Briinnow! The number just passing through the press con- 
tains a leading article from the last-named astronomer. 

27. Selection of Station Point. — That Cambridge was not 
selected as the point to connect with Albany, is attributed to 
the jealousy of Dr. Gould — a perversion of a simple matter, 
which is almost too gross to notice. Suffice it to say that the 
two stations within the State of New York were recom- 



GO 



mended by the Scientific Council to the Regents of the Uni- 
versity, under whose direction the appropriation made by tha 
legislature of New York was planned, and received their 
sanction. The reasons which determined this choice are 
easily shown, and have reference simply to the scientific 
details of the problem. 

28. Prosperity of the Institution. — When the Scientific Coun- 
cil came to Albany they found the scientific prosperity of the 
institution to be worthy of all commendation. If the same 
praise is not applicable to the financial affairs, the financial 
officers are accountable. If the President of the Board of 
Trustees has been unable to restrain the expenditures within 
the limits of judicious economy, then is he unworthy of the 
high reputation which he bears as an able financier. But, 
before he can claim to lay the charge of squandering the 
funds of the Dudley Observatory at any door but his own, he 
should make a full and clear exhibition of the state of the 
finances to his colleagues and to the public. He should be 
called upon to place all the books and accounts of the insti- 
tution in the hands of a skillful and incorruptible accountant, 
whose true and responsible statement can be the only foun- 
dation for an accusation of pecuniary dishonor. We demand 
this investigation in justice to ourselves, who are involved in 
the insinuations against our colleague ; we demand it in jus- 
tice to Dr. Gould, as his necessary defence against the 
wicked accusations of wasteful expenditure and of pecula- 
tion ; we demand it in justice to the donors, who have trusted 
to our pledges in their giving, and whom this judgement con- 
cerns, if there should be any development of violated trust. 
Who will assume the responsibility of obstructing such an 
investigation ? 

The donors assuredly have a right to know what has be- 
come of their money — how much of it has been spent, and 
for what purposes — how much has been invested, and in 
what — aDd how much remains. It was collected by the use 



of our names, and part of it on our personal solicitation to 
the contributors. Let these questions be answered by Mr. 
Olcott. We were accepted as a council by the donors and 
friends of the Observatory. We have been appealed to by 
Mrs. Dudley to represent her donation, amounting to nearly 
$80,000. We have been urged by donors, both here and out 
of Albany, to have this question tested. We call upon Mr. 
Olcott to answer these and other questions of account; and, 
if he will not answer us, we call upon him to present to his 
colleagues, the minority of the Board, such a statement. 

29. The Library. — This collection of books, which already 
consists of more than a thousand volumes, is peculiarly rich 
in choice, rare books, difficult of ordinary access. It attests 
the skill, discretion and thoroughness with which the Director 
has discharged this secondary portion of his duty. Some 
account of the collection, which has been gathered by the un- 
remitting assiduity of three years, from all the auctions and 
antiquarian book sales of Europe, may be found in the Pro- 
ceedings of the Albany Institute. 

30. The Scheutz Calculating-Machine. — This marvel of art 
has been brought into successful operation. It is the embod- 
iment of a life of ingenious contrivance, and has at last been 
proved to deserve the generous encomiums which it received 
from Mr. Babbage, the celebrated author of the analytic 
engine. It enables one whose capacity does not rise higher 
than the turning of a crank, to produce numerical computa- 
tions with almost unerring precision, and present them 
imprinted upon a metallic plate ready for the stereotj^per ; 
and this is accomplished in the same time which a good com- 
puter would require for the computation itself. This first 
adoption of the substitution of mechanical for mental opera- 
tions in the tedious task of computing, is a commencement of 
the Observatory of which it may well be proud, and which 
bids fair to inaugurate a new era in astronomical compu- 
tation. 

Dr. Gould has made himself thoroughly acquainted with 



62 



the instrument, and has judiciously employed a skillful 
mechanician to make, under his direction, some changes 
which were suggested by the inventor, introducing also a 
simple and ingenious improvement suggested by himself. 
This assistant Las also carefully arranged the whole instru- 
ment, and brought it into a working condition, an operation 
which occupied several weeks. It is now in perfect order, 
and its operations can be guided by a careful workman of 
ordinary education. The slight repairs which it will con- 
stantly need are estimated by the mechanical assistant at 
about $28 a year, and he is also of opinion that, with proper 
care, it is not in danger of any accident which can more than 
quadruple this annual outlay. It is now and then liable, in 
its computation, to the introduction of an error. This defect 
seems to be irremediable, and to be radically associated with 
the exquisite refinement of the construction ; but, whenever 
an error may occur, it is readily traced to its origin, and the 
corresponding correction admits of easy application. There 
is also a small liability to error in the typographical portion 
of the instrument, but Dr. Gould has here suggested a rem- 
edy which will probably be successful. He has prepared the 
system of formulas by which the peculiar computations can 
be most readily effected for the immediate application of the 
machine. The numerical computations which these formulas 
involve require the aid of a scientific assistant, in the selec- 
tion of whom he has been peculiarly fortunate; the regula- 
tion, adjustment and correction of the machine are finally to 
be committed to this assistant. "We are happy to state that 
a set of tables of Mars has been undertaken, and that the 
most important of these tables, that of the true anomaly, has 
already been completed for each tenth of a day, so that we 
have before us the first full astronomical table which has ever 
been computed by a calculating-machine. 

31. Conceit, Arrogance, and Taunts. — Charges of conceit, 
arrogance, and taunts against Dr. Gould may suit Mr. Olcott's 



G3 



purpose in rousing the Trustees to action, but cannot promote 
the cause of truth or justice, or aid them in the proper dis- 
charge of a sacred trust. This was a case, if ever, where men 
should take the highest views of their responsibility and the 
loftiest position in regard to self-denial. Men, who were not 
astronomers, were the Trustees of funds given to endow a 
great Observatory. The interests of astronomical science in 
the city of Albany, and State of New York, and, in a degree, 
in the whole United States, were confided to them. All per- 
sonal feeling should have been set aside in the execution of 
their sacred trust. At the outset they showed this becoming 
modesty, and no one more than Mr. Olcott, who now under- 
takes to judge Dr. Gould as a practical astronomer, and to 
decide some of the most difficult questions. 

Writing in November last to a member of the Scientific 
Council, Mr. Olcott says : 

" I certainly was willing to cooperate with distinguished scientific men, 
ud to enlist as a subordinate under your banner. It might 
never have been revived from the tomb of its repose, but through your 
inspiration. * * * * I regard our success so far, as transcending 
our most sanguine hopes at the beginning. The services rendered by 
Prof. Henry and yourself in New York, enable us to gain a footing 
there, and your identification with the enterprise has given it a passport 
to the confidence and regards of the nation." 

Noble sentiments — worthily expressed — contrasting as 
light and darkness with the actions and words of- the past 
week. 

Writing in October to another member of the Council, Mr. 
Olcott says : 

" All we have done and are doing is for American science, and we are 
disposed to be governed altogether by our Scientific Council. We have 
unbounded confidence in them in everything, and we wish them to con- 
sider us as an humble instrument in their hands in carrying forward this 
great enterprise. We have not a personal wish, object or interest in this 
matter. We are willing to sink or swim, with a Henry, a Peirce, a 



64 



Bache and a Gould, as the only chance of immortalizing ourselves in this 
world." 

Sink or swim, with, a Henry, a Peirce, a Bache and a 
Gould ! 

Now, so much has temper altered the tone of his mind, he 
says of one of these men : " The truth, in my judgement, lies 
in a nutshell. It is a discreet unwillingness to test his skill 
as a practical astronomer." In Mr. Olcott's judgement ! 
Just at a time when kindness, forbearance and strict regard 
to justice were required, the temper of the Board is inflamed 
by such appeals as this, so that they, sit in star-chamber 
judgement upon Dr. Gould. 

32. Work done. — The difference of longitude of the Observ- 
atory from New York has been determined, using the Coast 
Survey stations for the purpose. An elaborate and valuable 
series of photometric observations of stars has been made. 
This is one of those instances of happy adaptation of ends to 
means that mark talent among practical men. Dr. Gould 
selected at once a class of observations adapted to the defi- 
cient means of the Observatory, and by training his excellent 
young observers, and employing the naked eye, the " opera 
glasses " sneered at by Mr. Olcott, and the comet-seeker, he 
has obtained at once standard results, making over one 
thousand observations of magnitudes since March 10, of 
which two hundred and eleven are upon variable stars, and 
forty-four upon stars suspected to be variable. These obser- 
vations for magnitude have involved the charting, and subse- 
quent verification by comparison with the heavens, of a zone 
60° in breadth, and have led to the detection of thirteen stars 
of which the magnitudes differ from those given by Argelan- 
der in his catalogue. This distinguished astronomer has of 
late devoted his great abilities with especial energy to this 
class of researches, to the importance of which he was one of 
the first to urge attention. When a star is now found to dif- 
fer from Argelander's assignment of magnitude its variability 
is justly suspected. 



G5 



The numerical results of the observations by the different 
assistants of Dr. Gould show an extreme precision, the result 
of their capacity and of his excellent training. This work 
was admirably chosen — not only on account of the valuable 
additions which it affords to practical and physical astron- 
omy, but also as a valuable means for training his assistants — 
to whom it has given a thorough knowledge of the actual con- 
figurations of three-quarters of all the stars in the Northern 
Hemisphere, visible to the unassisted eye. It has, at the 
same time, afforded them the best preliminary education of the 
perceptive faculties, accustoming them to that delicate dis- 
crimination of minute differences, which is at once so impor- 
tant and so rare in the astronomical observer. And while 
the results attained are of high value, both as regards their 
systematic bearing and their degree of precision, their attain- 
ment has collaterally fulfilled the important purpose of pre- 
paring the observers for still greater future usefulness. 

By means of these determinations, the working list for the 
proposed catalogue of fixed stars down to the 6th magnitude 
inclusive, — the work proposed for the meridian-circle, — has 
been very nearly completed. 

The study of variable stars exhibits one of the most inter- 
esting fields in stellar astronomy, and one to which the atten- 
tion of scientists has only within a few years been specially 
directed. At least two first-class European observatories are 
devoting peculiar attention to this subject, to which Dr. 
Gould has devoted special care. 

And here we will again pay our tribute to that " superlative 
precision " at which Mr. Olcott has so offensively and indis- 
creetly aimed his sarcasm, and which is brilliantly manifested 
in the photometric observations which have been made under 
Dr. Gould's direction and supervision. The agreement 
between the observations of the several assistants is most 
satisfactory, and indeed surprising. Besides these observa- 
tions, which are sufficient to stamp with approval the "unfold- 
ing glories " of the Observatory, the transits of stars have 
5 



been regularly observed for time, and carefully and systemati- 
cally reduced since the middle of April; all the occultations 
have been observed which have been visible with the comet- 
seeker, and new discoveries of celestial bodies verified. In 
the exchanges of telegraphic signals for longitude, 210 sets 
of observations have been made for instrumental corrections, 
23 for personal equation, 189 for longitude, 169 exchanged 
with New York, and 47 for thread-intervals. The latter 
branch of the subject is still in progress. 

Besides these astronomical results, the magnetic intensity, 
dip and declination have been carefully observed, giving the 
magnetic constants for the Observatoiy. In these and the 
longitude-observations, assistance was had from the longitude 
field-parties of the Coast Survey. We pronounce this a 
remarkable amount of work for the time and number of per- 
sons employed ; and when the unusually bad weather of this 
spring is considered, so that this is actually the work of forty 
observing nights, great credit should be conceded to Dr. 
Gould and his assistants. The conception of the observa- 
tions was good, and they have been well executed. 

The mounting of the Scheutz calculating-machine, and of 
the meridian-circle, has already been spoken of, and the 
arrangements of .the clocks and chronographs. 

We have only to express our great gratification at the 
character of the whole results, which shows what might be 
expected from Dr. Gould and his assistants, if undisturbed 
by annoying and untimely visits, controversies and perse- 
cutions. 

33. Conclusion. — It is tedious to follow through its turnings 
and windings such an unmethodical and illogical statement as 
that which passes under the name of Mr. Olcott. We have 
felt that, having plunged himself into this matter, he was 
determined to crush Dr. Gould by the extraordinary number, 
as well as by the unmethodical chaos and vagueness of his 
charges. If pains were taken to examine and refute all these 



67 



labored statements, the public, he hoped, would not read the 
reply. If only the main charges were dwelt upon, he would 
cry, " See there, I charged thus and so, and no notice is taken 
of this charge." This presents the real and only point of 
great difficulty ; for the evidence by which these charges may 
be tried is mainly documentary. It is derived chiefly from 
the correspondence of Mr. Olcott and Dr. Armsby with Dr. 
Gould and the members of the Scientific Council, at different 
periods since 1855 ; and especially since January, 1858, when 
the new compact was made between the Trustees and Scien- 
tific Council. This voluminous correspondence is not pub- 
lished at present, for the reason that it has a most important 
bearing upon certain legal questions to be determined here- 
after. Copies of our letters and of the replies to them have 
been carefully preserved. The indications of looseness and 
inaccuracy in the extracts from the records which have come 
to our notice seem to indicate less care on the part of the 
President and Secretary. "We urge with all earnestness that 
our fellow citizens will look carefully into our examination, 
passing along the by-paths through which we have been 
obliged to follow Mr. Olcott, and not discouraged by the 
windings and obstacles of the way. 

/They will find our discussions and results to be the fol- 
lowing: 

1. We give a narration of the ostensible reasons assigned by Mr. 
Olcott and the Trustees voting with him for their late astonishing proce- 
dure against Dr. Gould, and show the earnest attempt made by us to 
obtain information from the Trustees, from Mr. Olcott, and from Dr. 
Gould ; and the refusal of the Board and of Mr. Olcott to supply us 
this information or to communicate with us, unless we would, as a pre- 
liminary, consent to prejudge the case by consenting to Dr. Gould's 
removal ; the denial of justice to Dr. Gould by not allowing him a hear- 
ing before the Board or an examination by the Council ; the publication 
and wide dissemination of unfounded charges against him by the Presi- 
dent of the Board, with the sanction of a majority of its members ; our 
to the investigation by means both of our letters and those of 



68 



Mr. Olcott and Dr. Armsby, and by such other sources of information as 
were open to us. In the course of this investigation we have become 
convinced that the ignorance of Mr. Olcott of what an Observatory 
should be, is flagrant, and that we were deceived by his high-sounding 
words as to his wishes to make what we understood by a " National 
Observatory," a " first-class Observatory," one which should be equal 
to or surpass other institutions of the kind in our country, and the like ; 
that the Trustees have not the knowledge to manage the scientific part of 
such an institution, and have not even judiciously managed its funds or 
provided for their safe and satisfactory disbursement ; that the majority 
of the Board has shown a great want of proper temper and disregard of 
the rights of others, as well as a want of care of the funds of the 
Observatory. 

2. To diminish the labor of those who will, in their love of justice, 
follow us through the investigations of these charges, we have taken out 
a number of petty ones, showing their inaccuracy, under the head of 
" Loose Statements." Mr. Olcott's disregard of precision in assertion 
is as remarkable as his condemnation of this quality in Dr. Gould, as 
applied to his science, is severe. These charges we should dispose of as 
frivolous. 

3. The attack on Dr. Gould for his precision and exactness is next 
shown in its true light, as proving ignorance or something worse. The 
gravely-made charge in regard to the Lockport stone, used to excite an 
unfounded prejudice against Dr. Gould, is disposed of by a summary 
statement of the facts. 

4. The charges of injudicious recommendations in regard to the Ob- 
servatory are examined under the titles of " The Ingenious Crane," 
" The Dome," " The Wings of the Building," "The Chronograph and 
Clocks," " The Dwelling-house," " The ready concurrence in Dr. 
Gould's schemes," following, almost precisely, the confused statements 
of Mr. Olcott, and finding that each and every charge is unfounded, 
and derives its only substance from the ignorance or ill-will of the 
accuser. 

5. Next is a full explanation of the cause of Dr. Gould's delay in 
coming to Albany, which is made a matter of charge by Mr. Olcott, 
though he well knew that the promised endowment, under which the 
Scientific Council consented to advise him to come, had never been made, 
and could not be procured within any moderate time ; though he also 
knew that Dr. Gould's visit to Europe on business of the Observatory 



69 



had necessarily caused a large accumulation of back work pertaining to 
the*Coast Survey and to the Chilian expedition. 

6. The unfounded charge against Dr. Gould of applying for " another 
and a rival position " is disposed of from our knowledge of the facts, 
which are given as briefly as we could state them. Even his great tal- 
ents and knowledge, which suggested to ourselves individually, and with- 
out communication with one another, his name as preeminent for a high 
post in another institution, are made, by ingenious sophistry, to appear 
to his discredit. 

7. A brief history of the connection of Dr. Peters with Dr. Gould 
and the Observatory is given, under the title which Mr. Olcott gives to 
it of " The Sacrifice of Dr. Peters." This is a subject which we touch 
upon with reluctance, but upon which the statements of Mr. Olcott, as 
far as they constitute charges against Dr. Gould, imperatively demand 
our notice, and receive, accordingly, their refutation. 

8. The subject of wasteful expenditures of the funds, alleged by Mr. 
Olcott, is examined and proved to contain no valid charge against Dr. 
Gould, however it may implicate the Trustees. Upon this point we sug- 
gest that a legal or a legislative examination should be called for by the 
donors. 

9. The charge of avowed and open hostility to the Trustees by Dr. 
Gould is met and disproved. 

10. For the garbled statement of Mr. Olcott in regard to the meeting 
of the Scientific Council with the Trustees in January, 1858, at which 
the compact, now violated by the Trustees, was ratified by them, is sub-, 
stituted a plain statement of the relations of the Trustees, Director and 
Council. Certain errors are pointed out, which Mr. Olcott enforces 
more than once, in the course of his paper, in the form of a charge of 
falsehood against Dr. Gould in regard to the relations of the U. S. Coast 
Survey with the Dudley Observatory. 

It should not be forgotten that the Council was not merely the crea- 
ture of the Trustees, but was sanctioned " at a meeting of the friends: 
of the Observatory," and that large donations were secured through 
the use of their names ; that, in fact, the institution was dead when the 
Council agreed to supervise it, and that it was revived by the pledge of 
their scientific reputations that it should be made a " national," a " first- 
.class" Observatory. In this appointment the Executive Committee 
acquiesced, and it was in January too late to alter the relation of the, 
Council and Trustees, which has been acted upon by the Council and ac- 
quiesced in by the Trustees for more than two years. 

11. In examining, under the head of " Money Matters," the recom- 



70 



mendations of Dr. Gould for expenditures for the Observatory, we find 
much to praise and nothing to censure ; but the petty annoyances of the 
Executive Committee by delays, by non-assent to his recommendations, 
by the carelessness, or something worse, of the Secretary hi his commu- 
nications, &c, are brought out fully. The fact that Dr. Gould has been 
obliged to furnish the dwelling-house at the Observatory at his own cost 
and pay many contingent expenses, amounting to some three thousand dol- 
lars, clearly appears. A system of annoyance seems to have been re- 
sorted to for worrying him into a resignation. The facts are stated, in 
our defence, in detail. 

12. The alleged payment of unauthorized demands is disposed of. 
The payments were made by Dr. Gould from his own resources, and he 
has never asked that they be refunded. 

13. The very grave charge of " gross and deliberate insults " to the 
Trustees receives a full examination, and a counter charge of unseemly 
and injudicious meddling on the part of the Trustees is preferred. These 
result from the consideration of the correspondence of Dr. Gould with 
the Trustees and their President and Secretary. Such a system of 
petty annoyance has, we venture to say, been seldom inflicted upon the 
Director of a scientific establishment. 

The fact is, that there appears to have been a systematic persecution 
in small and mean ways ; such as not replying promptly to letters, and 
thus delaying the work of the Observatory — for example, the not an- 
swering, until March, letters written in January, &c. ; the non-commu- 
nication by the Secretary of the acts of the Executive Committee of nine, 
of whom all but one were opposed to the Director, not even a fair repre- 
sentation of the minority of the Board being allowed a place upon it ; 
appointing upon a sub-committee of four the three members most prominent 
for bitter denunciations of Dr. Gould, and making the signature of two 
of these four requisite to give validity to any account ; interfering with 
the details of arrangement of the house and grounds ; denying the means 
to procure furniture, &c, for the former ; not furnishing the funds im- 
pliedly promised ; passing votes relative to the Observatory, without con- 
sulting the Director ; visiting the Observatory at times when the Direc- 
tor's absence was known, and endeavoring to pick quarrels with the 
assistants ; giving to the assistants their views as to the arrangements 
which the Director ought to make ; not acting upon the Director's 
recommendations as to the mounting of the instruments, &c, &c. 

The Council repel with indignation the attack of Mr. Olcott upon 



71 



the young associates of Dr. Gould in tbe Observatory. The charges 
recoil upon Mr. Olcott himself. The assistants are most intelligent and 
exemplary young men, and should he sustained against the sneers and 
charges of Mr. Olcott, by the citizens of Albany, young and old. They 
have been serving most generously and zealously, without compensation, 
for the love of their science, and should not be permitted to be exposed 
to wanton insult. They were arraigned by the Executive Committee 
and condemned unheard, as Dr. Gould himself was afterwards arraigned 
and condemned unheard by the Trustees. The sneers of Mr. Olcott at 
them as " not probably out of their teens," as "patron saints of the 
institution," &c, are, under the circumstances, not only absurd, but out- 
rageous. 

14. Dr. Gould's letter of May 31st to the Executive Committee, 
whicb, according to Mr. Olcott, " affords sufficient justification for ter- 
minating Dr. Gould's relations with the institution," from its arro- 
gance, insolence and conceit," is fully vindicated from the charges of Mr. 
Olcott. An offer is made to submit a case to any impartial tribunal 
upon this letter, and that Dr. Gould shall withdraw if this letter con- 
tains what is charged by Mr. Olcott. The charges of arrogance and con- 
ceit are shown to lie at Mr. Olcott's door. This letter is a sample of 
many straightforward appeals to the Executive Committee of the Board, 
and none but men whose tempers were so inflamed as to excite them to 
tyrannical acts, could fail to se3 this. This is one of the most wicked 
attacks upon Dr. Gould in the course of Mr. Olcott's paper, and the 
letter itself is in print to refute it. 

15. The admirable character of the clocks and chronographs, and 
the testimony which they bear to Dr. Gould's ingenuity and neatness of 
arrangement, are pointed out in refutation of Mr. Olcott's sneer, that they 
are "useless only as toys for the entertainment of his juvenile com- 
panions and of visiters." 

16. The falseness of the statements in regard to the large transit- 
instrument is shown. 

17. The beautiful arrangements of the meridian-circle, which reflect 
so much credit upon Dr. Gould, are briefly pointed out. The progress 
made in mounting it and preparing it for use is stated. This instrument 
is preeminently the product of Dr. Gould's genius, and it is cruel that it 
should be wrested from his use. It stands without a rival in the excel- 
lence of its arrangements. 

18. The absurd intermeddling of Mr. Olcott, in demanding an account 



72 



from Dr. Gould as to his sending the microscopes of the meridian-circle 
to Mr. Spencer for slight modification, is put in what we conceive to be 
its proper light. It is another sad evidence of the incompatibility of his 
suspicious and irritable temper with his position. 

19. The accusation of continued delay, of keeping the instruments 
in their boxes, with the absurd remark about " unfolding glories " are 
considered and refuted. 

20. The preposterous charge of incompetency, preferred by Mr. Olcott 
against Dr. Gould, is next examined, and we decide in opposition to Mr. 
Olcott. We give unreservedly, as in duty bound, our opinion of Dr. 
Gould as a man of science, and relate how he was trained for his work 
and how he has done it. We show what are his claims to the respect of 
scientific men, and show that he has obtained it. 

21. In regard to the unauthorized gratuity of $300 to Messrs. Pistor 
& Martins, for the meridian-circle, we find that it was made by Dr. Gould 
from his private resources — in justice to those distinguished artisans, who 
had encountered unforeseen expenses. The Trustees should have done 
this act of justice themselves, and not have thrown the cost of it upon 
Dr. Gould ; yet Mr. Olcott now endeavors to make this act of generosity 
the basis of a charge against him. Dr. Gould has never asked the 
refunding of the amount. 

22. The frivolous story of the " gentleman from the West " is briefly 
disposed of. 

23. The Scientific Council, from personal knowledge of the proceedings 
of the meeting of the Trustees, at which they were present in January, 
1858, dispose of the attempt of Mr. Olcott to show that the statement of 
Dr. Gould is in conflict with that of the Superintendent of the Coast 
Survey as to the relations of the Dudley Observatory to the Survey. 
The charge is fully disproved. 

24. The very grave charge of peculation, preferred by Mr. Olcott 
against Dr. Gould, is found not to have the beginning of a foundation, 
and the items of the account for telegraphic longitudes are given. This 
charge cannot be characterized by its proper name without using stronger 
language than we wish to employ. We nail it to the counter as false. 

25. The matter of the letter to the Astronomical Journal of Altona, 
is shown to be a perfectly simple one, and to have in it not the first element 
of a charge against Dr. Gould. 

26. We give the reasons disproving the charge that prominent astrono- 
mers cannot cooperate in matters of science with Dr. Gould. 



73 



27. We show that the selection of the station-point in New York, to 
be connected with the longitude station at the Dudley Observatory, was 
made by others, who were officially responsible for the selection ; and 
therefore that the charge against Dr. Gould of improper motives in making 
the selection is untrue. 

28. Having investigated the scientific concerns of the institution, 
under Dr. Gould's directorship, and found them highly commendable, 
and that an extraordinary progress has been made, considering the time 
and other circumstances, we ask an equally searching examination into 
the pecuniary affairs which have been under the charge of Mr. Olcott, 
that each one may be judged in his own line. We ask that Mr. Olcott 
be required to render an account of his stewardship. 

29. We show that the character of the library redounds greatly to the 
credit of Dr. Gould, and not to his disparagement. 

30. We show that the mounting and use of the calculating-engine, 
which has been already employed on astronomical work, are highly credit- 
able to Dr. Gould. 

31. We are obliged again to notice the charge of Mr. Olcott against 
Dr. Gould, of " conceit, arrogance and taunts." We give extracts from 
Mr. Olcott' s letters, showing his well expressed modesty in former times ; 
and, contrasting it with his present conceit, we infer that his temper has 
deprived him of his judgement on these points. 

32. We examine the observations already made and give high approval 
to Dr. Gould and his assistants for the zeal and ability with which they 
have been executed. They consist of more than one thousand observa- 
tions of the magnitudes of stars, using Argelander's catalogue as a 
standard ; of observations for time, for longitude, and others. The mag- 
netic constants have also been determined. 

We have summed up our conclusions in the following pre- 
ambles and resolutions, which, having been communicated to 
the Trustees, were answered by our dismissal. 

Whereas, The Scientific Council have received the resolu- 
tion of the Trustees demanding the removal of the Director ; 
whereas, they find that Dr. Gould has been condemned with- 
out being heard in his own defence ; whereas, the Trustees 
have resisted all the attempts of the Scientific Council to 
obtain for Dr. Gould the opportunity of meeting the charges 



74 



which have been made against him; whereas, these charges 
appear to be mostly frivolous, with the exception of the two 
charges of incompetence and peculation ; therefore, 

Resolved, That the Scientific Council must advise the Trus- 
tees that their persistence in their present course of remov- 
ing the Director is opposed to all the recognized principles 
of justice, and is utterly at variance with the system of 
guardianship by which the laws of our country protect the 
rights of our citizens against every form of despotism ; that 
it will be regarded as a bitter and burning disgrace by the 
whole community, and will not fail to obstruct all farther 
contributions for the support of the Observatory. 

Whereas, The Scientific Council have carefully examined 
the statement which has been transmitted to them by the 
Secretary of the Board of Trustees, accompanying the reso- 
lution for his removal; whereas, this is the evident basis 
upon which such removal is required; whereas, they do not 
find in this statement any reasonable foundation for the 
serious charges which have been made against the Director ; 
and, whereas, they have examined the voluminous documentary 
evidence which Dr. Gould has transmitted to them in his 
defence, and they find in this evidence the triumphant refuta- 
tion of all the charges which are made against him; 
therefore, 

Resolved, That they must advise the Trustees that the 
removal of Dr. Gould would be a gross violation of their 
obligations to him. 

Whereas, This Council have carefully examined the scien- 
tific progress of the Observatory, and find it in all respects 
to be ably and judiciously conducted ; whereas, they find that 
the labors of the Director and his assistants have been 
characterized by the utmost zeal and energy ; whereas, they 
find that no opportunity for astronomical observation ha3 
been permitted to pass unimproved ; whereas, they find in the 
character of the work which has been already done, and in 



75 



the unrivalled meridian-circle, which has been constructed 
under his direction, the most indubitable proofs of the great- 
ness of his capacity for astronomical investigation; therefore, 
Resolved, That they must advise the Trustees that the 
removal of Dr. Gould will be an irreparable injury to the 
scientific operations of the Observatory. 

"Whereas, The Council are persuaded that under the cir- 
cumtances of Dr. Gould's removal no honorable and trust- 
worthy astronomer would be willing to occupy his place, and 
take unrighteous possession of the splendid instrument into 
which the suggestions of his genius have been incorporated 
by its celebrated makers ; therefore, 

Resolved, That they cannot by advice or in any other way 
acquiesce in his removal. 

JOSEPH HENRY, 
A. D. BACHE, 
BENJAMIN PEIRCE, 

Scientific Council of Dudley Observatory. 
Dudley Observatory, July, 1858. 



APPENDIX 



The following is the communication of the Secretary of the Trustees, a 
copy of which was addressed severally to Professors Henry, Bache and 
Peirce. It is a strictly accurate copy in all respects, except the punctua- 
tion and orthography; differing, however, a little from editions since 
published by the majority in the newspapers and in pamphlet form ; — 
although not more than these differ from one another. 

mr. olcott's manifesto. 

Albany, June 26th, 1858. 
Prof. A. D. Bache : 

Dear Sir — At a meeting of the Trustees of the Dudley Observatory 
held this day, the following communication from the President was read 
to the Board ; after which the following resolutions were adopted : — ■ 

Gentlemen — Agreeable to the direction of the Board, I enclosed a 
copy of their resolution of the 4th inst., to the three non-resident members 
of our Scientific Council. 

On the 17th inst, the following reply was received, which is here sub- 
mitted for the consideration and action of the Board : 

Washington, D. C, June 12, 1858. 

Dear Sir — We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 
of June 5th, 1858, communicating a resolution of the Trustees of the Dudley 
Observatory, and stating that you look with confidence and pleasure to our 
continued friendly cooperation as members of the Scientific Council. 

The Council regret extremely that the Trustees should have deemed such 
a resolution necessary. Having, however, made ourselves responsible before 
the public for the scientific operations of the Observatory, and being sensible 
of the binding character of the arrangement between the Trustees and our- 
selves, we recognize the propriety of an appeal by the Board to us in regard 
to the arrangements of the institution, and our duty to see that they are such 
as to conduce to the best interests of the establishment, and to the advance- 
ment of astronomical science through its means. 



77 



In order that we may consider the subject understanding^, we respectfully 
request from the Trustees a statement of the difficulties referred to in their 
resolution, with such facts as may bear upon them, and especially a copy 
of the record of the proceedings of the Executive Committee, and of the 
Trustees since the first of the present year. We would farther respectfully 
request that the Trustees will suggest the new arrangements with the Council, 
which they would propose for future action. 

The Scientific Council held a meeting in Philadelphia in February last, and 
then determined in execution of their trust to assemble again in Albany at 
such a period during the summer as might be most suitable. When the 
onerous duties of the public offices held by the members of the Council are 
considered, a stronger evidence could scarcely be furnished of their interest 
in the institution, and their determination not to neglect any part of their 
obligation to the Trustees, the generous donors, the public, or the science of 
the country. 

As the period for this meetiug has nearly arrived, the Council would ask 
that you put them in possession of the information which they have asked, at 
as early a date as is consistent with your convenience, say before the 20th of 
this month, that they may receive it, if possible, before the meeting in 
Albany. 

Very respectfully yours, 

A. D. BACHE, 
JOSEPH HENRy, 
Thos. W. Olcott, Esq., BENJAMIN PEIBCE. 

If our Scientific Council mean, -when they say they recognize the pro- 
priety of the appeal of this Board to them, that it was a becoming 
respect to their scientific position and high attainments, I anticipate the 
decision of the Trustees in saying that we cheerfully adopt the word 
" appeal." But if meant to claim for the Council official superiority in 
their relations to the Board, the claim is inadmissible. I may add that 
our resolution too plainly indicated the necessity of a total severance of 
our relations with Dr. Gould, to imagine that the Scientific Council could 
entertain a doubt on this point. But they ask for a statement of the 
difficulties referred to in the resolution sent to them. It is to recount 
some of these difficulties that I now address the Board. 

The commencement of our relations with the gentlemen who compose 
our Scientific Council, was in September, 1855 ; and the following extract 
of a letter to me, from Prof. Bache, dated September 29th, of that year, 
will explain the basis of our arrangements with the distinguished officers 
of the Coast Survey. Prof. Bache says : 

" If the means to purchase a Heliometer, such as is recommended b 



78 



Prof. Peiree and Dr. Peters, in the inclosed letters, can be furnished, I 
will provide from the Coast Survey instruments, a Transit for time, and 
furnish an observer from among the assistants of the work, giving the 
necessary instructions in the way usual in our work, Sec. I shall in this 
have the hearty cooperation of Professors Peiree and Gonld, and the aid 
of Dr. Peters. The result will belong equally to the Coast Survey and 
Dudley Observatory, and may be published by either." 

It will be seen that for the valuable services and instruments here 
promised, we were to supply the means for purchasing a Heliometer, esti- 
mated at that time at $6000. With this condition we promptly complied. It 
was thought by Prof. Bache, on a little reflection, that $2000 more might 
be wanted, in order to obtain a superior instrument. This farther sum 
was also promised, and finally it was increased to $14,000, by the 
liberality of Mrs. Dudley. Dr. Gould offered to sail forthwith to Europe to 
secure this instrument, and the splendid Transit for the Coast Survey prom- 
ised by Prof. Bache, and which was to cost $1,500. The Trustees, in 
anticipation of their means, assumed the responsibility individually, and 
authorized Dr. Gould to contract for a Meridian Circle at a cost of $5000, 
to be superior to any such instrument previously made, and the purchase 
of Barometers or Thermometers to the extent of $200 or $300. Mr. 
Corning also authorized the purchase of a clock for $1000 ; and thus 
equipped, Dr. Gould sailed for Europe, at the expense of the Observatory. 
But in consequence of the time which the makers required to finish the 
Heliometer, and the price of it, it was not contracted for abroad. On 
Dr. Gould's return he visited Mr. Spencer at Canastota, and at a numer- 
ous and highly raspeetable meeting of the friends of the enterprise at 
Mrs. Dudley's, in January, 1856, Dr. Goull made a public announce- 
ment that he had contracted icith our talented countryman, Charles A. 
Spencer, for the construction of the great Heliometer. At a like 
gathering, a few evenings later, at Judge Parker's, Dr. Gould urged the 
importance of having Mr. Spencer visit Europe, to see the Heliometer at 
Oxford, and to gather such information as might be obtained at the obser- 
vatories and manufactories abroad. Dr. Gould also proposed to have 
Mr. Gavit accompany Mr. Spencer, and both those gentlemen speedily 
sailed for Europe, at the expense of the Observatory. It turned out, that 
however important this voyage was deemed, it resulted in no great addi- 
tion to the st ick of Mr. Spencer s previous information. Some of the 
Barometers and Thermometers which Dr. Gould purchased abroad, were 
placed in charge of Mr. Gavit, and were broken on the passage ; and 



79 



although Dr. Gould has been often spoken to on the subject, it is not known 
that any steps have been taken to recover the loss from the insurers. 
Before and for some time after his return from Europe, Dr. Gould mani- 
fested the utmost zeal, not only in prompt and energetic measures for the 
speedy equipment of the Observatory, but in endeavors to connect us 
with New York, by furnishing time to the shipping of that city, by also 
giving time to the public buildings in this city, and the various railroads 
that meet here, and thus add considerably to our revenue. 

The Inauguration, in August, 1856, seemed to be the climax of our 
rejoicings, not only from the imposing ceremonies of that occasion, but 
from the noble endowment of $50,000 by Mrs. Dudley, then and there 
announced, which gave a place on earth to our castle in the air. This 
announcement thrilled the vast assemblage on that occasion, and was 
hailed as the incentive to fresh hopes and increased efforts. Dr. Gould, 
our contemplated astronomer-in-chief, was behind no one in the manifesta- 
tions of joyous anticipations. To him was confided the entire direction of 
affairs at the Observatory, to the minutest particulars appertaining to its 
alterations, erections, improvements and equipments. Every thing was to 
be original, or at least so much in advance of other institutions as to 
assume the character of original conceptions. The Committee, encouraged 
by such an array of gifted names as sponsors to the world for scientific 
progress, by the sudden and large increase of their means, and by the 
strong grounds which they had for confidence in the ability of Dr. Gould, 
yielded a ready assent to all his plans and suggestions. We fondly aimed 
at preeminence in all things, and but too late discovered that Dr. Gould's 
superlative precision and transcendental exactness in ordinary matters, are 
allied to his determination of longitude in this respect, that the cost 
"increases in a more than cubic ratio with the degree of precision." The 
piers must be built of stones so large, and so free from the least imperfec- 
tions, that the rich quarries of Lockport could not furnish the requisite 
supply. Cne of those stones, whose rejection cost us about $1000, now 
garnishes our grounds, a monument of our folly in yielding to excessive 
particularity. 

An ingenious machine was also invented by directions of Dr. Gould for 
placing the stones in position, which the masons would have done for one- 
third the cost of the machine. The dome was copied from the great 
Imperial Observatory of Russia, and designed for simple wooden shutters, 
such as they have there, which are easily moved and cost but a small sum. 
Such shutters, however, were not satisfactory to Dr. Gould, and withou 
regard to the construction of the dome, he directed Mr. Hodgins, the 



80 



architect, to invent iron shutters and prepare plans, irrespective of cost, 
with the necessary powerful machinery. The result proved that the dome 
was not intended to bear a weight of two or three tons, and the experi- 
ment proved a failure. So with the wings of the building. Mr. Hodgins 
was directed by Dr. Gould to construct new machinery for opening the 
shutters, which might become a model for other observatories. In the 
progress of these contrivances, a number of changes and alterations were 
made, and the whole cost of machinery for operating the shutters of the 
two wings, and for the shutter and machinery for the dome, is not less 
than $5000. And had not Dr. Gould aimed at something beyond the 
magnificence of the royal institutions of Europe, the expense need not 
have exceeded $300. It should be borne in mind that the dome will 
not be used until the Heliometer is finished, and that some three or four 
years' interest might have been saved by deferring this costly experiment 
until the dome was needed. Dr. Gould contracted also with one indi- 
vidual for Chronographs and Clocks not immediately wanted, costing 
nearly $1200 — a good share of which sum I understand was lost in 
experiments, directed by Dr. Gould, in the endeavor to get something 
superior to the instruments used by the Cambridge Observatory, and 
adopted by the Coast Survey. I do not consider these failures to reflect 
in any way injuriously upon the artists employed. Dr. Gould has com- 
plained of the dwelling house. He had specifications drawn after his 
own plans in Boston, (which cost us $72,) which were so badly contrived 
that they were abandoned, and a new plan was drawn here, changing the 
material from wood to brick without much increasing the expense. This 
new plan was submitted to Dr. Gould by Mr. Smith, the architect, and 
discussed room by room, and approved by Mm before the house was 
built. Up to near the close of 1857, I believe Dr. Gould enjoyed the 
confidence of the Trustees — had their ready concurrence in all b.13 
schemes, and the use of unrestricted means for their execution. The 
architects, superintendents, and the principal mechanics employed, were 
directed to look to Dr. Gould, and to him alone, for instructions. We 
have certificates from each and all these persons confirming this state- 
ment. So particular and exacting was Dr. Gould that I recpiested the 
architects not to allow even a nail to be driven without directions from 
Dr. Gould. I need not add that our expenses were in this way greatly 
increased, as men were frequently without work, though under pay, 
waiting to hear from Cambridge, Dr. Gould's residence. The Committee 
could not assume duties even where they felt competent to their discharge 
without giving offence to Dr. Gould, and it is only from painful experi- 



81 



ence that they learned the injury which has resulted from not braving 
the hazard of his displeasure at an earlier day. I desire to exonerate 
all persons who have performed labor at the Observatory under Dr. 
Gould, most of whom are well-known residents of this city, from cen- 
sure or complaint from the Committee. And I would say in justice to 
Messrs. Hodgins and B. F. Smith, that they have well sustained their 
professional reputation for skill and ability ; and that they cannot be 
held responsible for the incongruous contrivances of Dr. Gould which 
they were called upon to elaborate. 

The Committee discovered in 1857 an unaccountable abatement of 
zeal on the part of Dr. Gould — not only a reluctance to come on and 
take charge of the Observatory, but a strange disposition to put off 
mounting the instruments and to delay progress in general. But we 
gave the most charitable construction to these painful indications, and 
not until the difficulties between Dr. Gould and Dr. Peters occurred 
were the Committee fully aware of the proximity in the character of Dr. 
Gould, of seeming accomplishments, with the most glaring defects. Dr. 
Gould had some time before procured plans, at our expense but without 
our sanction, of five large additional buildings of which the present 
Observatory was to be the nucleus. The cost of these buildings would 
probably range from $100,000 to $200,000 under Dr. Gould's super- 
vision. And to add significance to our past, present and prospective 
expenditures, we found that, unbeknown to us, Dr. Gould was, pending 
these stupendous schemes, a candidate for a Professorship of Astronomy 
in another, and which under him, would, we cannot doubt, become a 
rival institution. 

We come now to the sacrifice of Dr. Peters. Dr. Peters had given 
great satisfaction during his residence at the Observatory, under Dr. 
Gould. He is a gentleman, unassuming, truthful, practical and progres- 
sive. He is not a specious, entertaining, pedantic theorist, abounding in 
contrivances of a useless and visionary character. On the contrary he is 
a ripe scholar and accomplished astronomer, and can fathom with a pro- 
found mind the profounder depths of science. He was a foreigner, a 
comparative stranger in our midst, with but few friends ; and he had 
ventured, too, in an humble degree to presume on the liberties of manhood 
in this the land of his adoption. For the sake of harmony, the Trus- 
tees of this Board ratified the decree against him, and the gifted but 
unpretending Peters was driven from our city. This was enacted at our 
meeting last January, on which occasion Dr. Gould made the astounding 



82 



declaration that he was not responsible for anything which had been clone 
at the Observatory — that the improvements and alterations and erections 
— I think he broadly included nearly all expenditures — had been not 
only against his wishes, but in opposition to his expressed objections. 
His " bed in Albany," he said, " had been a bed of thorns," and this is 
said, when his frequent visits to the city had been but repeated ovations. 
Our houses, our purses and our hearts, all testified to the cordiality of 
our greetings and to the warmth of our regards. But it seems we had 
fallen short of his expected laudations, and in return for generous hospi- 
talities, he boldly ignored his own doings, and charged upon others the 
wasteful expenditures for which he alone was responsible. Let it be 
remembered that up to this time the Committee had never uttered a word 
of complaint against Br. Gould, or in extenuation of the?nselves, in 
regard to these wasteful expenditures. They had been made by Dr. 
Gould, as I have shown, with at least the tacit sanction of the Committee, 
and believing them to have been made in good faith, the Committee were 
disposed to bear uncomplainingly, their full share of all the responsibility. 
But I ask the Board if silence longer becomes us, when the master- 
spirit of all these abortive experiments and extravagancies attempts to 
shield himself by imputing the blame to his more innocent coadjutors ? 
The error of the Committee is in having given Dr. Gould an unstinted 
measure of confidence, and with whatever justice others might bring this 
charge against the Committee, it comes most ungraciously from him. 
From this period may be dated the open and avowed hostility of Dr. 
Gould. He has, in conversations with our citizens, and in other various 
ways, charged the Trustees with opposing his progress, withholding aid, 
and otherwise baffling his efforts, and finally reached his climacteric 
in open and designed affronts to several esteemed members of this Board. 
It will be recollected that at the meeting referred to in January last, we 
were favored with the presence of Profs. Henry, Peirce and Bache — 
and that the latter gentleman read a letter from myself, stating in sub- 
stance that if Dr. Peters were to leave us, we should expect Dr. Gould 
to take up his residence here, and that excepting a few hundred dollars 
for mounting the instruments, we should have no money to disburse for 
two years to come, as we could not encroach upon our invested fund of 
$50,000. Prof. Bache made that letter the emphatic ground of his 
claim for the installation of Dr. Gould in the place of Dr. Peters. The 
Trustees, influenced by considerations of profound regard for the Scientific 
Council, yielded to their appeal. "We did hope that through the influ- 
ence of these gentlemen, notwithstanding the alarming developments of 



83 



Dr. Gould's peculiarities of character, that we might still cooperate with 
him — certainly if he would allow us to do so. Iu accordance with this 
arrangement Dr. Gould removed to Albany in February last, and took 
possession of the dwelling attached to the Observatory. To say -nothing 
of an application from Dr. Gould in February last for a new dome, which 
would cost several thousand dollars, he has, since his removal here, asked, 
not for a few hundred dollars only for mounting the instruments as 
agreed upon, but for more than $3,800, with the certainty that this 
amount will be greatly increased before the instruments could be mounted. 
We have not been able to allow this entire sum, but we allowed every 
dollar asked for in aid of scientific purposes, and several hundred dollars 
toward promoting the personal comfort and convenience of Dr. Gould. 
And yet in the face of these facts, he says, in a letter of May 31st, 
that he has been obliged to advance from private resources, the neces- 
sary means for the operations of the Observatory, and without support 
thus far from the Trustees, despite their promise that the balance of the 
State appropriation for longitude-determination should be placed at his 
disposal, &c , &c. It is here charged that the Trustees have rendered 
no support, that they have broken their promise, and that Dr. Gould is 
carrying on the operations of the Observatory with his own private means. 
Dr. Gould must know the fallacy of each of these statements. Fortu- 
nately for the Committee they passed a resolution that Dr. Gould should 
incur no debt for the Observatory without first making an application in 
writing, specifying particulars, and which the Committee were to pass 
upon before Dr. Gould would be authorized to act in the premises. If 
he has paid any demands against the Observatory, it was unauthorized 
and unnecessary, and the amount must have been very small indeed, too 
small for either complaint or boasting. "We have, as before stated, appli- 
cations in writing from Dr. Gould asking for over $3,800, instead of 
only a few hundred dollars, to which he was by agreement confined. 
This does not include $600 advanced to Dr. Gould for determining the 
longitude, and $300 the application for which may be claimed as withdrawn. 
This disproves two of tbe three allegations ; indeed, all three, unless 
Dr. Gould claims the longitude-appropriation as an individual gratuity. The 
same letter just referred to, tauntingly reiterates the charge that all our 
" available means have been consumed under the auspices of the former 
Executive Committee." Without noticing the many unpleasant indica- 
tions of tbe state of feeling at the Observatory, the Executive Committee 
(composed of nine of the Trustees) felt called upon to rebuke recent 
gross and deliberate insults, offered by Dr. Gould, through his youthful 



84 



subordinates, to three of our Trustees. The Trustees referred to had, 
in visiting the Observatory in the discharge of their duties, been refused 
admittance, the doors closed in their faces, and otherwise treated with 
insolence, prevarication and. falsehood. This Board cannot, I know, be 
shaken in its abiding confidence in the truthfulness, honorable intentions, 
and gentlemanly deportment of the Trustees referred to, by whomsoever 
they may be secretly lampooned or openly traduced. The resolutions of 
the Committee in relation to the insults offered to the Trustees, drew 
from Dr. Gould the extraordinary letter before referred to of May 31st. 
In this letter Dr. Gould asks the Committee to rescind their resolutions, 
refuses to unite with the Trustees in preparing rules and regulations for 
admission to the Observatory — declines to instruct his young men to 
treat visiters with civility, and expresses surprise at resolutions so 
"improper and unjust." He even eulogizes as "gentlemen" as "astron- 
omers," and as patron saints of this institution, his young assistants, not 
one of whom are probably out of their "teens." This letter affords 
sufficient justification for terminating his relations with this institution, 
unless arrogance, insolence and conceit are suited to the taste of the gen- 
tlemen of this Board., 

The Corning Clock which was contracted for by Dr. Gould in 1855, 
and was to have been finished forthwith, by some unaccountable delay, 
has not yet arrived. Clocks seem not to have been wanted until 
recently. The beautiful clock generously given by Messrs. Blunt of 
New York, was not acceptable to Dr. Gould, and he expressed a wish 
that they would take it back and give something else. Whereas, at the 
present moment, without a single instrument mounted, Dr. Gould has at 
the Observatory and at his dwelling-house eleven clocks, useless only as 
toys for the entertainment of his juvenile companions and of visiters. If 
all our slumbering instruments were mounted, with a full complement of 
observers and computers, we should scarcely find use for so large a num- 
ber of clocks. The splendid Transit has been on hand twenty months, 
and the first step has not been taken towards mounting it, although the 
piers have been ready, the means provided, and Dr. Gould has been 
repeatedly requested to mount the instruments. The magnificent Me- 
ridian Circle has been on hand since October last, and nothing has been 
done towards mounting it, except drilling a few holes in the piers until 
within the last week. Some parts of it have been sent off by Dr. Gould 
for adjustment or alteration. The correspondence on this subject is 
herewith submitted, asking Dr. Gould why this has been done without 
consulting the Trustees, as it might impair our claim against the makers 



85 



in case the instrument was imperfect. Dr. Gould names the particular 
parts sent off, and claims my authority for his doings. I have given no 
such authority. I have evidence to show that he contemplated sending 
off other portions of the circle than those which he mentioned, and for 
some time before the period when he says I assented. Why this con- 
tinued delay and studied attempt to amuse with trifles? Why do these 
noble instruments remain so long in their boxes, when every astronomer, 
conscious of his own ability, would pant for the unfolding glories which 
they are expected to reveal? The truth, in my judgement, lies in a 
nutshell. It is a discreet univillingness to test his skill as a practical 
astronomer. 

This correspondence discloses another fact, which is announced to me 
officially, and that is, that he had sent $300 as a gratuity to the makers of 
the circle at Berlin, which he says he had before brought to my notice. 
When I disclaimed all knowledge of the remittance, and reminded him 
that it had been done without the knowledge or consent of the Trustees, 
and contrary to resolutions passed by them, he turns round, and assumes 
the transaction as an individual affair, and says, instead of having sent 
the money, he authorized the parties to draw on him. 

Very recently a gentleman from the West called at the Observatory, 
and was shown the buildings and grounds, and also a picture of the five 
new buildings, plans and drawings for which Dr. Gould has had made- 
The impression made upon his mind by Dr. Gould's statements was that 
the Trustees had rendered no aid or support ; that Dr. Gould and his 
assistants had no instruments but " opera glasses " to amuse themselves 
with, and that the whole affair was a "failure" and an "abortion." 
This is one of the many and constant representations to the same effect 
which have been our commendations to the public, in our appeals for 
future support. But Dr. Gould places himself in direct opposition to 
his chief, Prof. Bache. I invite the Board to contrast what Dr. Gould 
says in the " Knickerbocker," over his own signature, with the letter of 
Prof. Bache, of Sept. 29, 1855 : 

Mr. Editor : 

Dear Sir — My attention has been called to a letter in your paper, stating 
that the Dudley Observatory is and has been for two years in the hands of 
the United States Coast Survey. May I ask the use of your columns to say 
that this assertion is entirely -without foundation ; and that any one enter- 
taining so grotesque an idea must be entirely unacquainted with the organi- 
zation of either institution. The same statement has been made and contra- 



dieted more than once before, but is still repeated so persistently as to seem 
prompted by some motive, -which I am unwilling to characterize. 

The only bond of official connection is that the Coast Survey has under- 
taken to determine the longitude of the Observatory, provided the pecuniary 
outlays be met by the Board of Trustees. 

Eegarding the very extraordinary statements of your anonymous corre- 
spondent relative to myself personally, I have nothing to say. They could 
not fail to recoil upon any responsible person uttering them. 
Yours, respectfully, 

B. A. GOULD, Jr. 

Dudley Observatory, June 9th. 

But it is not enough for Dr. Gould to traduce the Trustees and 
Observatory at home ; another letter from his prolific pen is sent abroad 
to be published and circulated there. This letter is worthy of particular 
attention. Dr. Gould and his assistants are permitted, he says, to devote 
their leisure time to the arrangement of the Observatory ; not, it seems, 
to promote astronomical science, but rather for continuing longitude-deter- 
minations, as means of gaining a livelihood. This disclosed the fact 
which now, for the first time, came to our knowledge, that not the Coast 
Survey, but Dr. Gould, individually, pockets, in addition to his salary, 
the very considerable income from longitude-determinations. This truly 
solves a problem, as he states, and explains his past anxiety to grasp the 
legislative appropriation, but it forms no excuse for his publishing in 
Europe the false affirmation, that we have not means for the most neces- 
sary expenses. 

Letter of Dr. Gould to the Astronomical Journal, published May 3d, 
at Altona, Germany : 

Albany, April 5, 1858. 
The Coast Survey has no official connection with the Observatory. By 
permission of the Superintendent, however, it has been allowed to me and 
some of my assistants, to devote our leisure time to the arrangement of the 
Observatory, at the same time continuing as before our longitude-determi- 
nations for gaining a livelihood. Else, indeed, it would be a difficult problem 
to direct an Observatory which has no means on hand for salaries, or for the 
most necessary expenditures. 

The Trustees in the organization of this institution aimed at securing 
for it a national character, and as a means to this end, to cooperate in 
harmonious action with the observatories at Washington, Cambridge, 
Cincinnati, Ann Arbor, and other places. But we find that Dr. Gould's 



87 



personal relations with Mitchel, with Maury, with the Bonds, and with 
Briinnow, names illustrious in astronomical science, are such as to pre- 
clude the hope of concert and cooperation with them. Cambridge is 
the original point from whence the longitude of all other places in this 
country has been determined ; but instead of asking the aid of the Cam- 
bridge Observatory, equipped and in readiness for service, Dr. Gould 
takes a point in New York, determined from the Cambridge Observatory, 
and which increases, by one remove, the chances of error, if not the cost 
of the work. But Dr. Gould cannot stoop so low as to acknowledge 
the authority of that time-honored and respectable institution. Perhaps 
he has seldom ever darkened its doors, and it is but too evident that Dr. 
Gould would make the Dudley Observatory as isolated to the scientific 
world as he aims to make it to his own Trustees. In conclusion, our 
bark, though somewhat tempest-tost, is still in a condition to brave all the 
dangers with which it is threatened. Our losses have been great, through 
ill-conceived experiments and wasteful expenditures; but we have left 
to us a valuable library, containing 1000 volumes of choice scientific 
books ; about eight acres of very valuable land, the Observatory building, 
worth $45,000 or $50,000 (it has cost much more). We have the cal- 
culating-engine from Mr. John F. Rathbone, worth $5000, and various 
other instruments and apparatus, worth $1000 or $2000. We have a 
dwelling-house which cost, and for which we have been offered, $10,000; 
and we have, unencroached upon, the endowment of Mrs. Dudley, of 
$50,000. 

But the issue is boldly, and I think offensively, put by Dr. Gould in 
his letter of the 31st May last, as to who shall control this property and 
the affairs of the Observatory, and it remains for the Trustees to bow 
submissively to his conceit, arrogance and taunts, or to vindicate their 
self-respect by asserting the rights and prerogatives which belong to 
them. 

I desire to state that I am influenced by no feelings of personal 
unkindness towards Dr. Gould. In our private intercourse he had ever 
been courteous and gentlemanly. I am influenced only by considerations 
of duty towards the Observatory. 

After a free and full discussion, the following resolution, offered by 
Judge Harris, was adopted : 

Whereas, A communication having been read to the Board, by the Presi- 
dent, in relation to the existing difficulties with Dr. Gould, therefore 

Resolved, That this Board approve of such communication, and that a 



88 



copy be transmitted to the Scientific Council, as expressive of the views of 
this Board on the subjects to which it relates. 

After which the following preambles and resolutions, offered by Judge 
Harris, were adopted by the Board. 

Whereas, A resolution having been adopted at the last meeting of this 
Board, in which, after referring to the want of harmony between Dr. Gould 
and the members of this Board, it was declared, as the sense of the Board, 
that some new arrangement in the affairs of the Observatory was absolutely 
necessary — which resolution, in pursuance of the request of the Board, was 
communicated to the Scientific Council by the President of the Board ; 

And the Scientific Council in a reply to this communication, bearing date 
the 12th of June instant, having requested that they be furnished with a 
statement of the difficulties referred to in the resolution of this Board, with 
such facts as may bear upon them, and especially a copy of the record of the 
proceedings of the Executive Committee and of the Trustees since the first 
of the present year ; and 

Whereas, The Scientific Council have apparently misapprehended the pur- 
pose and determination of the Board in adopting the resolution to which they 
refer : Now, therefore, 

Resolved, That this Board do not recognize the right of the Scientific 
Council to review the action of this Board with reference to the matters in 
question, and as a compliance with their request could only be useful to the 
Scientific Council in determining whether Dr. Gould should longer be con- 
tinued in the service of the Observatory, which this Board regard as a ques- 
tion no longer open for consideration, and they deem it inexpedient to com- 
ply with the request of the Scientific Council in this behalf. And 

Whereas, The Scientific Council have in their said communication farther 
requested that the Trustees would suggest the new arrangement contem- 
plated by their resolution ; therefore, 

Resolved, That the Scientific Council be informed that the new arrange- 
ment contemplated by this Board involves the immediate withdrawal of Dr. 
Gould. 

Resolved, Also, in view of the unpleasant relations which now exist 
between Dr. Gould and the members of this Board, that it is not desira- 
ble or expedient that he should longer continue to be a member of the 
Scientific Council, and that hereafter he will not be recognized as such 
member. 

I have the honor to be, very respecfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. H. ARMSBY, Sec. 



DR. GOULD'S LETTER OF MAY 31. 

To the Executive Committee of the Trustees of the Dudley 

Observatory : 

Gentlemen : The communication of your Secretary, dated May 22, 
and transmitting resolutions -which he states to have been unanimously 
passed by the Executive Committee, has been received. It opens various 
questions of the highest importance as regards the future welfare and 
prosperity of the Observatory, and I therefore regret that they had not 
been made the subject of discussion at the full Board of Trustees, before 
being voted upon. Their importance and bearing are greater than the 
Executive Committee probably supposed when adopting them, and render 
it necessary for me to speak of them more in detail than would otherwise 
appear desirable. 

I. As regards the first resolution, I would repeat what has frequently 
been stated to the President and Secretary, viz. : that to throw open the 
grounds as a place of public resort is entirely incompatible with the 
proper scientific operations of the institution. The Scientific Council, in 
becoming sponsors for the Observatory before the public, and pledging 
themselves that donations should be applied to scientific ends, counted 
upon the support and cooperation of the Trustees. They considered that 
the sums generously contributed by citizens in different parts of the 
United States, under the guaranty of the Trustees that the Observatory 
should be a national, not a merely local institution, were given for the 
advancement of astronomy, rather than for purposes of public recreation, or 
even of public education. It becomes my duty as their accredited organ to 
state to you without reserve, that to throw open the Observatory-inclosure 
as a place of public resort would be destructive of the quiet and seclusion 
necessary alike for study and for observation. So far as my knowledge ex- 
tends, there is no Observatory, — certainly none in Europe, — where 
admission to the grounds is allowed, except by special permission from its 
Director. 

Systematic observations ought to be carried on by day as well as by 
night, — and the observing rooms should always be left open for some 



90 



time previous to the observations in order to equalize the condition of the 
external and internal air. The astronomer must be free from disturbing 
influences and noises, as well as from liability to interruption. Out-door 
observations are by no means rare, and the open grounds are at present 
the only place where extra-meridional solar or lunar observations could 
advantageously be made. These considerations alone will satisfy you 
that the Observatory-inclosure cannot be used as a park, or opened as a 
promenade, without sacrificing the objects for which an Astronomical 
Observatory is founded. At present, while the operations for longitude 
are progressing in the small detached building recently erected for the 
purpose, and the magnetic constants determining, as they now are, in 
various parts of the grounds, the influx of visiters would paralyze these 
investigations ; and no course would remain, except to suspend a work 
which could not be properly carried on under such adverse circumstances. 
That, at any time when such a step should be taken as is contemplated 
by this resolution, the appointment of a special officer for the prevention 
of damage and the inforcemcnt of the rule would be necessary, as well 
as the construction of a fence around the Observatory-building at a suf- 
ficient distance to protect the observers from disturbance, is self-evident. 

II. To the second resolution many of the preceding remarks will 
apply. No visiters conducting themselves with decorum have ever, so far 
as I am aware, failed to receive a kindly welcome and ready courtesy. 
The Observatory already contains in every part costly and delicate instru- 
ments and apparatus, which a thoughtless touch may derange, and thus 
undo or vitiate the labors of weeks. The safety of the instruments and 
the prosecution of the work of the Observatory would be, in my judge- 
ment, seriously endangered by making the institution a place of exhibition 
at stated periods, like a museum or gallery of art. It is difficult for gentle- 
men, not practically conversant with the care of delicate instruments, to 
appreciate the injury which may result from a casual touch or simple 
carelessness in disarranging apparatus, without the least intention of doing 
injury, and of the fatal effect of interruptions at the moment of an obser- 
vation, which, if lost, can never be recovered. So strictly is this rule 
inforced at the Eoyal Observatory of Greenwich, that not even an assist- 
ant is allowed to visit without permission other parts of the Institution 
than those to which his immediate duty calls him. In all European 
Observatories of any magnitude the surrounding grounds are kept closed, 
and a porter at the gate to protect against unauthorized intrusion. 

The Scientific Council have regarded the Observatory as dedicated to 
the advancement of astronomy, and in undertaking to conduct its opera- 



91 



tions, have relied upon the Trustees to remove any possible impediments, 
rather than to create them. Your resolution evidently contemplates a 
Code of Regulations for admission, and such a code must necessarily be 
based upon stated hours and conditions. Amid the ever-changing cir- 
cumstances aud varying hours at which the different kinds of Observatory 
work are performed, I can assure you that such regulations are not con- 
sonant with the proper performance of astronomical duties. It must be 
left to the discretion of the astronomer to decide at any time whether he 
can or can not be interrupted. And while it is one of the chief delights 
of the true scientist to be able to communicate that knowledge, to the 
pursuit of which his life is dedicated, and to do all within his ability 
towards enlisting the interest of others in behalf of the pursuits to which 
he devotes himself, — it would be disloyal to the interest of science, 
faithless to the great enterprise in hand, and at variance with the ends for 
which the Observatory was founded, to sacrifice its true objects for any col- 
lateral purpose, however desirable. That no organized system of admission 
to the Observatory as a show could fail to do much towards preventing the 
success of the institution, would be the unanimous verdict of astronomers. 
Should farther information on this point be desired by the Executive 
Committee, I would respectfully suggest that the Scientific Council be 
consulted by them. 

III. The Executive Committee direct the Treasurer to procure dupli- 
cate keys, and demand access for every Trustee, with or without friends, 
at all times, to all the rooms of the Observatory, and this without the 
knowledge or concurrence either of the Director or of the assistants in 
charge, — a claim more unreasonable than would be that of the Trus- 
tees of a Hospital or Asylum, that free access at all times to all the 
wards be afforded to each member of the Board, with his friends. It is 
my duty to assure you that this claim is entirely incompatible with the 
proper observations and computations of such an institution. It must, if 
persevered in, entirely defeat the objects of the Observatory, by destroy- 
ing the responsibility of the Director for the security of the property and 
for the conduct of the observations. Those responsible for delicate, val- 
uable and complicated apparatus, must be invested with the exclusive 
custody and control, for on no other conditions is such responsibility pos- 
sible. These considerations doubtless escaped the notice of the Execu- 
tive Committee, and I would therefore respectfully ask a reconsideration 
of the resolutions referred to. 

Before leaving this subject, I will take the liberty of recalling to your 
memory the position of the Scientific Council of the Observatory, and 



92 



the circumstances under which they are endeavoring to bring it into full 
activity. When notified that all the available means had been consumed 
under the auspices of the former Executive Committee, and that the 
Observatory would for some years be entirely destitute of income, they 
did not desert it; and the undersigned, being determined that no 
additional sacrifice necessary to insure its success should be wanting on 
his part, removed to this city, where, aided by the generous zeal of a 
corps of assistants, most of whom are contributing gratuitous labor — 
offered for the sake and for the love of science, — he has been con- 
ducting the preliminary operations to the best of his ability ; advancing 
the requisite means from his private resources, and without support thus 
far from you, despite the promise that the balance of the State appropria- 
tion for longitude should be placed at his disposal, towards defraying the 
unavoidable expenses of carrying on the Observatory. He claims that 
he is at least entitled to be protected from interruptions which, if per- 
mitted, will render his labors nugatory. 

The Executive Committee will excuse me for declining to comply with 
their request concerning instructions to my assistants. These are gentle- 
men whose unselfish and generous devotion to science has prompted them 
gratuitously to contribute their aid towards carrying on the Dudley Observ- 
atory, in addition to other onerous duties upon which alone they are depend- 
ent for subsistence, and which have no connection whatsoever with this insti- 
tution. To communicate such a message would be to offer insult in 
return for their devoted zeal ; for I feel sure that they have treated 
every comer with that courtesy which was compatible with the perform- 
ance of duty. Their course deserves, in my judgement, the gratitude as 
well as the approbation of the Executive Committee, and I cannot but 
express my surprise at a resolve which it is impossible for me to construe 
otherwise than as a censure, and which, if so construed, is entirely 
improper and unjust. If the Executive Committee have any supposed 
basis for such an implication, I shall be much indebted to them for what- 
ever information on the subject they may possess. 

The time of four of these assistants, although contributed by them to 
the Observatory for scientific purposes, has always been at the service of 
every visiter, whatever his station ; and those desiring information and in- 
struction have uniformly found from them a kindly welcome, and a full 
explanation of all points upon which explanation has been asked and could 
be given. And I may add that they have proved friends in time of need to 
an institution which, as your resolution says, "originated in the most gener- 
ous and disinterested intentions, and which can only accomplish " the 



93 



design of its founders, by contributing to tbe promotion and advancement 
of astronomy ; and through tbe production of mature results, not of an 
empty show — of accurate and refined observations, not a cabinet of 
unused instruments, whose efficient employment is sacrificed to mere dis- 
play — by becoming an honorable ornament to this ancient city, to this 
advancing nation, and to the scientific world, whose eyes are now fixed 
upon the Dudley Observatory in hope not unmingled with apprehension. 
I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

B. A. GOULD, Jr. 
Dudley Observatory, Albany, 1858, May 31. 



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